With an anticipated occupancy in the summer of 2016, the R. W. Kern Center will be the point of entry for prospective students and their families into the community. As the home of the admissions office, it will also enable tours to start near the center of campus.
This building will also provide instructional space, serve as a hub to share information about the campus, and highlight Hampshire’s mission. The bookstore will be relocated to the building from the first floor of the Johnson Library. This will open up almost the entire first floor of the library to be developed as a student learning commons.
Living Building Certification
The College intends to pursue Living Building Certification (LBC), which requires the creation of a net-zero energy, waste, and water building. There are currently fewer than ten LBC-certified buildings in the country, and Hampshire will provide national leadership at the confluence of architectural design and energy and water conservation. The R. W. Kern Center will be a proud symbol for Hampshire College, as it will serve all of the campus in a variety of ways and stand in the forefront of sustainable building practices.