Oklahoma State Spears College of Business
Project Completed: December 2017
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: A NEW OSU LANDMARK
For business students whose classes had long been scattered — held in no fewer than six buildings — Oklahoma State University’s Spears College of Business was eagerly awaited.
Completed ahead of schedule and under budget, it delivered its intended transformational
impact resoundingly. Its success lies in vibrant architecture that extends from the
exterior and Courtyard to five floors of carefully drawn plans, down to furniture.
It raised the school’s profile (check) and established a dynamic identity for its brand of future-
focused business education (another check). The “wow factor” was dramatic and the building
was immediately embraced as “the coolest on campus.” Only when Elliott’s Engineering
South (CEAT) expansion/renovation, opened in 2023 was the “coolest” distinction shared by
two buildings (while the revered mid-20th century library is in a class by itself.
Rand Elliott is a distinguished graduate of OSU’s College of Architecture. He and his (OSU-strong) team understood the need for OSU’s business school building to take its place as a landmark that would complement — and not overshadow — OSU’s beloved, long-time signature library.
LOCATION, LOCATION: THE EAST-WEST AXIS
The building anchors OSU’s East Campus Quad as the East Bookend of Legacy Walk; touchstones for visitor orientation/navigation.
Oklahoma State University officials knew their campus needed a significant new structure for its distinguished business college — one designed specifically for their current and future needs. Growth has been robust.
When the location for Oklahoma State’s new business school was announced — adjacent to the revered 1953 Edmon Low Library on “The Quad” – it spoke volumes about the project’s importance to the campus. It would be a 21st-century epicenter, a crown jewel shaped by great expectations.
Summing up the school’s goals: That it be inviting, inspiring, and brimming with energy. It’s no coincidence that these aligned with the cornerstones of Rand Elliott Architects’ portfolio.
INSIGHTS FROM THE CLIENT
From a thorough assessment of needs cited by faculty, staff, alumni and students, defining ideas emerged. Thoughts ranged from “having a cool place to hang out” and meet future business partners, to learning best practices for business. All-important was the concept of interactivity.
That the future building would be inviting, high energy and inspiring was all but assured, given Rand Elliott Architects’ track record. These are the tenets around which has practice has been built, which Elliott first embraced here as an OSU architecture student.
An expansive view of campus from the new Executive Conference Room’s 3rd floor
IMMERSION IN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY: THE CRESCENT CONCEPT
Brickwork and Georgian architecture are the hallmark of the Oklahoma State University’s celebrated campus. So, Rand Elliott’s goal was to honor his alma mater’s historic architecture by using classic Georgian principles to create the “bookend” building, connecting the east-west axis of the Legacy Walk.
The Crescent creates a wind-protected Courtyard – a stage for important events and an inspiring view. The moody mist is a Crescent signature.
Rand Elliott’s team began with research on Georgian architecture in Bath, England during the reign of a series of King Georges – I, II, III and IV, 1714-1830 where the Royal Crescent form prevailed.
Crescent principles, in fact, stretch back to the Colosseum of ancient Rome, 70-80 AD.
The Elliott team recognized that, on this campus, the crescent would both historic and new.
OSU’s Nigel Jones – who is from England and served as OSU’s University Architect with Long-Range Facility Planning for the project, recognized the Crescent and embraced it. (Having since retired, Jones is now OSU’s Emeritus University Architect) shares in its success capstone.
The sweeping Crescent design also created The Courtyard – a wind-protected outdoor space that lends grandeur to ceremonies and events. Even more unexpected is The Cloud, a circular platform/water source that emits a fine mist. It’s a nod to “The Cloud” we know for modern data storage and as a “water feature,” adds a mysterious beauty.
Creating elegant balance and symmetry, the business school’s crescent shape met the need for a strong identity. It was suddenly the place both faculty and students wanted to be, full of memorable spaces that would resonate as settings for big moments, discoveries, and growth.
Countless comments circled back to the exclamations about being such a “cool place.”
“As soon as I saw the Crescent concept, I knew, “That’s it!”
– OSU’s Nigel Jones OSU’s University Architect and native of the U.K.
“Once people saw it, they fell in love with it.”
– Ken Eastman, Business School Dean, on the Crescent form
THE MODERN CLASSROOM
It was important to reflect the business world of today and be able to maintain that edge, designing for the flexibility to adapt to future conditions, particularly technologies. Formal common areas would become spaces for interactions and open collaboration.
Addressing the technological needs of the modern classroom and the student appetite for cutting-edge insights were paramount.
Over 20 unique breakout rooms and “sticky spaces” scattered throughout the building provide opportunity for small group study or individual use.
DESIGNED FOR LONGEVITY
The new School of Business was built to stand the test of time. High quality, durable materials were used throughout the building. It is 60 feet wide with no interior columns to support future renovations and discourage any need for demolition. The 60-foot dimension has proven ideal as it allows light to penetrate to the center and makes views to the outside short.
INTERIOR CONCEPTS, FLOOR BY FLOOR:
Each level has a personality drawn from a combination of Function and “Fun,” (fun being, essentially “the cool factor.” And what is that? It’s an ineffable, unflappable, winsomeness.
A combination of inspired moments and sheer bravado, star-power drawn from deep wells of creativity that education here serves to deepen and unleash.
“Businesses are often successful because they look at something differently. And you look at this building differently. We think that is a real asset and something that Ken (Eastman) has really embraced — that, ‘Wow, this is a really unexpected business school,’ in how it was designed and how it was focused from a functional point of view, and its appearance as well.”
– Rand Elliott, FAIA, OSU architecture graduate
Function — The large classroom level adjoins a high-energy space with glass common area half-circle breakout rooms, an auditorium, a Behavioral Lab, IT Support and Cybersecurity Lab.
Fun — It doesn’t feel like a basement – expansive with high ceilings and skylights. Circulation and Breakout areas “connect” along a planned path and journey.
A ground-level loggia encircles the Crescent Courtyard and creates a dynamic, market-like walkway for display and access to support spaces.
Function – Efficient perimeter offices, student centers, classrooms, conference room and student lounge in a bright, high-energy space; East access to the Quad.
Fun: “A Series of Centers” designed to promote business career readiness and entrepreneurship by facilitating interaction and collaboration. Business Perks Coffee Shop, Watson Trading Floor (a stock exchange-like classroom), the main public lobby, “The Hub”, a sculptural stair, Courtyard overlook.
Designed for flexibility, this is a floor that shifts as needed between spaces suited for undergraduate- to graduate student- and outreach-focused use. The upper loggia (balcony) overlooking the plaza and Legacy Walk — along with abundant natural light throughout — expands the experience.
At the Opening Ceremony, OSU president Burns Hargis jokingly assured the spectators on the balcony that Rand had assured him that it would indeed hold them up.
Function – Classrooms, Department centers and offices, Conference rooms, Grad Student Lounge, “Sticky spaces” that invite taking a moment to chat or linger, Fun The Ceremonial Stair, team rooms, classroom entries, Loggia access, Courtyard View, West View to Legacy Walk, East view to Quad and a note of grandeur from the 1st floor/2nd floor connection.
Housing the Office of the Dean and an array of Faculty spaces accommodating the maintenance of day-to-day operations as well as long-term vision. Many faculty say the views from the third floor office are the best in the building – for sunrise and sunset.
Function – Dean’s Suite and Executive Board Room, department space and offices, breakout spaces, Conference Room, Faculty Lounge
Fun – “Shared light,” flexible furniture (easy to adjust or move, vs. walls) to help meet changing needs.” The Neighborhood” space, a connecting stair to the 4th floor, and the views!
A comfortable, under-roof space created with the faculty in mind. Personal and quiet, each office has a private dormer window offering a unique view and atmosphere.
Function – Department Head suites and offices, lounges, breakout and conference rooms.
Fun – The Tack Room (lined with cowhide, a nod to OSU’s Cowboys), the “Crystal Room,” featuring a signature arc of a window, structure and roof vault, Dormers, Connecting stair, “creative furniture,” and aerial views the campus.
The faceted Crystal Room window was instantly adopted as a Spears brand signature, used for interviews such as this one on Marketing.
SUSTAINABLE FEATURES
A signature element of the new School of Business is the firm’s artistic and advantageous use of natural light.
The project photos show the delight of visual drama. And by using high-performance, energy- efficient window and glazing systems, Rand Elliott Architects was able to gain the energy benefits of daylighting while also migrating energy loss.
This, coupled with a high-efficiency HVAC system tied directly into the campus central plant – and building-wide LED lighting – they were able to greatly reduce energy consumption and minimize waste.
OSU SPEARS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ESTIMATORS
National
2019 Industry Award Winner Most Innovative
OSU Spears School of Business
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ESTIMATORS
Regional
2018 Best Regional Projects in Higher Education/Research Category, Texas & Louisiana
OSU Spears School of Business
ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF OKLAHOMA
State
2018 Award of Merit, Education over $50M
OSU Spears School of Business
ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS, OKLAHOMA CHAPTER
State
2018 Institutional $25 to $100 Million
OSU Spears Business Building
ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS, OKLAHOMA CHAPTER
State
2018 Electrical: Commercial, $2 to $10 Million
OSU Spears Business Building
ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS, OKLAHOMA CHAPTER
State
2018 Interiors, $2 to $5 Million
OSU Spears School of Business
ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS, OKLAHOMA CHAPTER
State
2018 Interiors, $2 to $5 Million
OSU Spears Business Building
Interiors – Millwork, $2 to $5 Million
