The Jones Hall College of Health Science Building at Troy University has been designed to house the school’s nursing and KHP programs. It marks a prominent new entrance for the Northeast corner of the campus, seamlessly blending with Troy’s architectural heritage while featuring expansive glazing on the north façade. The design includes a state-of-the-art skills/teaching lab and a simulation lab that records students’ actions for procedural review. A blood analysis lab for the kinesiology program was also integrated into the design. The 150-seat lecture hall is an edu-flex space, facilitating both in-person and distance learning simultaneously and allowing a nursing bed to be wheeled in for demonstrations.
A significant design challenge was accommodating two distinct programs, nursing and KHP, within a single building. This was addressed by creating both shared and specialized spaces that meet the needs of both programs. Jones Hall meets the community’s needs by providing unique learning environments to homeschool students in Pike County, which is especially valuable in the rural setting. The movement education lab offers real-world applications for students and facilitates homeschool students’ PE courses. The building features intuitive circulation with a consistent pattern on each floor for easy navigation.
Interior design elements in Jones Hall contribute to a warm learning environment with biophilic characteristics, countering the typical “sterile” feel of medical facilities. The color scheme is influenced by Troy University’s cardinal color, and printed wall murals depicting students in the health sciences add dynamic visuals throughout the interior.
The building takes advantage of the sloping site by incorporating an ICC-500-rated storm shelter into the southern hillside and creating an intimate courtyard with an adjacent residence hall.
Overall, Jones Hall exemplifies a functional, community-oriented, and forward-thinking educational facility that supports the evolving needs of health sciences education while integrating seamlessly with its campus and community environment.
