Making health and wellness accessible

As a regional leader in education, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke is one of the most diverse institutions in the country – they are the nation's only four-year public institution founded by American Indians for American Indians. With substantial healthcare access and cost barriers in this rural area, UNCP aimed to positively impact health, wellness, quality of life, and economic improvement in the local community. As a result, UNCP initiated the development of North Carolina's first public College of Optometric Medicine, which will offer a Doctor of Optometry degree. The program is specifically designed to combat the growing shortage of eye care providers in rural and underserved communities across the state.

In collaboration with Jenkins Peer Architects, Flad provided interior architecture and space programming for the new Clinical Sciences Building. The 75,000-square-foot facility plays an important role in supporting healthcare in the region while also serving the academic needs of the College of Health Sciences and College of Optometric Medicine. The building enhances the university's existing health science program through spaces that support a graduate-level curriculum focused on optometry, as well as an expansion of the occupational therapy program. Flexible classrooms, learning labs, simulation suites, and study spaces occupy the first two levels with enclosed administrative offices, open workstations, conference rooms, and smaller collaboration spaces on the third level.

Designed to attain Two Green Globes certification, the building is characterized by visibility, transparency, and activity, offering flexible spaces that can adapt with program growth. Operable acoustic walls and convertible infrastructure allow for space separation and provide opportunities for future conversion. The Student Commons can double as a lecture room for Grand Rounds meetings with faculty and students as well as educational seminars.

In support of providing clinical care on campus and for the region, the first floor features outpatient clinic spaces for optometry and occupational therapy that serve as learning environments and support the health needs of the surrounding communities. Students will benefit from these clinical experiences with the opportunity to sharpen their patient care and treatment skills in a supervised setting.