Florida Gulf Coast University sought to actively grow and integrate a forward-looking curricula into their health sciences programs. Realizing an upgrade to their facilities was needed to achieve their goals, leadership partnered with Kahler Slater to serve as the health sciences architect along with local firm Harvard Jolly to create a state-of-the art home for their School of Nursing and School of Health and Rehabilitation. The resulting design for the College of Health Professionals Building offers new learning spaces dedicated to providing students with the latest amenities in health sciences education and educators a space to prepare the next generation of health providers.

The comprehensive facility includes laboratory, classroom and office spaces that are environmentally sensitive and the College’s educational focus to ensure students receive the most up-to-date, contemporary training in both clinical and didactic learning. The building is designed to maximize cross-collaboration of health sciences students and faculty. Areas for undergraduate and graduate students are consolidated and faculty offices are together in one building, including an advising center and state-of-the-art practice and simulation labs for nursing, athletic training, human performance, clinical laboratory sciences, and occupational and physical therapy. The Florida Gulf Coast University College of Health Professionals Building is LEED Gold Certified.