SCAD Architecture Dept.

Clark Hall is the home of the School of Building Arts at SCAD, a 24-hour access facility, offers SCAD students the finest professional studios activated through cutting-edge teaching and learning technologies. The $16-million redesign and renovation of Clark Hall in 2019 — transformed the 70,000-square-foot academic building — it demonstrates for students and visitors the significance of an energy-efficient, modern, and professional studio environment. Simulating the design studios of leading interior design and architectural firms around the globe, 41 discrete studios echo the tenets of collaborative learning developed from the successes of SCADpro, the university’s research and innovation studio.

Sustainability features at Clark Hall include energy efficient LED lighting and air conditioning with occupancy sensors, custom dimming capabilities, and smart controls. Water-efficient plumbing systems reduce water usage by 40%. Integrated roof-top Photovoltaic panel arrays generate an ongoing 18% offset in renewable energy. A real-time digital display with power meter highlights the building’s energy usage and demonstrates to students and visitors how buildings can contribute to sustainable practices and lifestyles.

Clark Hall also contains seven classrooms, three critique spaces, seven homework labs, a newly imagined materials resource library with samples from furniture design partners and industry trendsetters, a model shop, and a maker space replete with industry-standard, rapid-prototyping equipment that includes laser cutters, 3D printers, and model-making tools. The building serves as a top-quality study space for architecture, architectural history, furniture design, interior design, preservation design, and urban design students at SCAD.