Andrews University's Andreasen Center for Wellness Opens

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Dec. 7, 2020 - PRLog -- Andrews University's new Andreasen Center for Wellness recently opened for students, faculty, and community members. A sizable project totaling 71,244-square-feet across two stories, Design Collaborative began the extensive design project in October of 2016.

The center is an innovative wellness space that allows its users to live wholly, exploring mind, body, and spirit with ample amenities supporting overall health and wellness – in addition to physical fitness.

Ample, dedicated workout spaces are strategically located throughout to allow easy access to fitness spaces. Equipment includes free weights, weight training machines, cardio, and a group fitness studio on the first floor. The upper floor holds a two-lane track, additional cardio and weight training equipment, stretching nooks, and another group fitness studio.

The outdoor fitness suite hosts a sensory retreat with a fire, wind, and herbal garden, as well as a walking path. There is also an aquatics suite, with an indoor saltwater pool, which was incorporated intentionally to avoid chemical use in the pool and spa. The healing oasis has an indoor whirlpool with massage features, a dry sauna, steam bath, infrared light cove, sunroom retreat, and an outdoor healing garden. In the east wing of the Wellness Center, there are classrooms, conference rooms, and offices. The wellness lobby has a study space, café, video wall, and Wellbeing Model Gallery with interactive technology.

Designed for efficiency in construction, operation, and materials, exposed structure exists throughout, as well as the heavy use of precast construction, which was specifically chosen for cost savings estimated at over $500,000 in construction costs. LED fixtures with addressable controls and occupancy sensors allow the building lighting to run efficiently. HVAC systems were designed around multi-zoned building management systems to efficiently control the heating and cooling of the space. Constructed with steel, precast concrete, and masonry, the exterior was designed to complement the greater campus aesthetic. The interior space includes two-story floor-to-ceiling windows to allow for an abundance of natural light; approximately 80 percent of the space has direct access to direct sunlight. The open space environment and FF&E package inspires movement and healing.

The project team included, among other partners, Martin Smith, registered architect and president of MDS Architecture, LLC, who serves as associate professor of architecture for Andrews University. Smith and his team were invaluable during the design process.

The facility opened for students and faculty in September 2020.

About Design Collaborative

Focused on people-first places, Design Collaborative is an award-winning architectural, engineering, and interior design firm located in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, serving clients across education, healthcare, workplace, financial, and community markets across 14 states. Founded in 1992, the firm's mission remains to improve people's worlds through its people, passion, and process. Recently completed projects include: Skyline Tower, ORNL Federal Credit Union's Corporate Office, St. Rita's Medical Center Surgery Center, Promenade Park, and Indiana Wesleyan University's Football Stadium. To learn more about Design Collaborative, please visit the website.