Colby-Sawyer College – Shaefer Center for Health Sciences

Training the Next Generation of Leaders in Health Sciences and Nursing

The Schaefer Center for Health Sciences supports the growth of both faculty and student capacity, positioning Colby-Sawyer as a leader in Nursing and Health Sciences. The exterior design aligns with the campus aesthetic and reflects the vernacular of New Hampshire architecture.

Designed to promote engagement and collaboration, the first floor of the building features a diverse range of spaces, including a café, quiet areas for focused study, and larger spaces for student-faculty interaction. As one enters the second floor, the building transforms itself to simulate a hospital environment and allow for hands on learning, featuring spaces like two high-fidelity simulation suites and an open layout for skills training, as well as exam rooms and debriefing spaces. The building’s welcoming main entry along the East-West pathway integrates the Center into the heart of campus, bringing key programs together in a modern, state-of-the-art facility.

HGA collaborated with Colby-Sawyer faculty, along with partners from the University of Massachusetts Boston and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Together, they provided valuable insights on equipment selection, pedagogy, and space design, ensuring the facilities aligned with the latest trends and regional workforce demands. Utilizing a modular design approach, the building can be easily adapted to meet the future needs of the College.

HGA worked closely with the College and construction team to navigate the challenges of an uncertain period marked by rapidly rising construction costs. Together, we ensured that key elements were prioritized within the budget, enabling informed, strategic decisions throughout the process. From the outset, sustainability was a primary goal, with strategies tailored to be both easily implemented and maintained by the facilities team. HGA led a sustainability charrette with the full design team to explore ways to advance these efforts. Key highlights include the building being fully electrified and featuring photovoltaic panels to support renewable energy goals.

The new 20,500 square-foot building is named after the late Janet Udall Schaefer, who attended in 1952 and returned in 1996 to complete her degree. Shaefer left one of the largest one-time gifts in Colby-Sawyer’s 186-year history, with a portion being designated to help fund the construction of the Center for Health Sciences building. The Schaefer Center enhances Colby-Sawyer’s Nursing program and introduce additional health sciences programs tailored to address specific community needs.