Health Education Building

The Health Education Building, KU Medical Center's new, iconic facility, was built to accommodate modern learning and facilitate the education of a greater number of physicians, nurses and allied health care professionals to address critical health care worker shortages in Kansas. The 170,000 square foot building serves as the primary teaching facility for the KU Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions that includes a simulation center and flexible, state-of-the-art learning space to support new models of teaching.

Designed through a partnership between Helix Architecture + Design and CO Architects, the spaces inside the Health Education Building were created to provide functional, technology-enhanced environments for experiential learning, including large learning studios, active classrooms, a medical simulation center, clinical skills labs, study areas, as well as dedicated spaces to enhance the social and collaborative aspects of learning and student life.

Overview of the Health Education Building

• The interior design elements are modern and authentic, inspired by key facets of the building's purpose: connectivity, identity, a healthy and sustainable environment, and transparency.
• Architectural features embrace natural elements and the heritage of the state of Kansas with a terraced courtyard and outdoor space with features representing the rolling prairies of Kansas.
• The building meets sustainability standards for energy use, access to daylight, exceptional indoor air quality and views to nature.
  • Energy use is projected to be 24 percent under state energy guidelines.
  • Heating and cooling controls are tied to occupancy sensors and automatic setbacks.
  • All occupied spaces will utilize energy-efficient LED lighting.
• The general use of glass throughout the building provides views, ample daylighting and a sense of openness to the education process.
• The large cantilevered glass cube highlights the medical simulation and clinical skills floors as the heart of the building.
• Commissioned artwork by local artists are located on the lower and ground levels as well as the first and fifth floors.