2006 News Releases2006 News Releases
Oct. 27, 2006
Arnold School of Public Health dedicates new research center as Innovista cornerstone
The University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health dedicated its $22 million,104,860-square-foot building, the cornerstone of the university's Innovista research campus.
The building, designed to follow the “green design” principles of the U.S. Green Building Council, will house research laboratories and programs of the departments of exercise science and environmental health sciences, as well as the Prevention Research Center and the Children's Physical Activity Research Group.
Named for benefactor Norman J. Arnold and his wife, Gerry Sue, the Arnold School of Public Health was established in 1975 and is the only school of public health in South Carolina.
University of South Carolina President Andrew Sorensen said the dedication marks an historic day for the university.
“Today, we see the realization of our plans and dreams to establish Innovista, where top scientists conduct research in areas as diverse as health, medicine, Future Fuels, nanotechnology and the environment,” said Sorensen, whose own academic and professional career is in public health.
“That the first building of our research enterprise focuses on public health underscores our university’s commitment to conduct relevant research that will improve the lives of South Carolinians and people throughout the world,” he said. “This new home for the Arnold School of Public Health also marks the first step in the life of Innovista.”
The Arnold School$lsquo;s research programs address some of the Palmetto State’s most serious problems: obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, the environment and cardiovascular diseases. The school also has an international reach. During the dedication, 50 flags were displayed to represent the home country of a student at the Arnold School or a country where Arnold School faculty members are conducting important research.
Dr. Donna Richter said the new building is a testament to the progress in public health teaching, research and outreach.
“When this school was established only three decades ago, no one could not have foreseen the public health problems and threats that we would face in the 21st century,” said Richter, who is internationally recognized for her work in HIV/AIDS education and prevention.
“Public health has confronted the spread of HIV and AIDS, the threats of bioterrorism and the challenges presented by an increase in obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Yet, with each of these challenges, the Arnold School of Public Health has adapted its education, research and outreach missions to meet the healthcare needs of our state and nation.”
Norman Arnold said the building signals a new era in public health at the university.
“I am a committed supporter of this school,” said Arnold, a survivor of pancreatic cancer. “I am alive today because so many others devoted their lives and intellect to discoveries that affect the health of people in need. The opening of this new public health research center has the potential to lead to advances that will change the lives of millions of people.”
The Arnold School dedication also included the unveiling of “Anne‘s Garden,” named for Anne Edens Rainey of Columbia, a USC alumnus and founder of Columbia Green, a civic beautification organization. The centerpiece of the garden is a bronze fountain called Las Palomas, sculpted by Sandy Scott, recognized as one of the country‘s premier animal sculptors. John Stringer Rainey commissioned the fountain as a surprise for his wife, known as an outstanding perennial gardener.
Research Building Facts
The Arnold School of Public Health is a $22 million, five-story building at the corner of Assembly and College streets. Construction began in October 2003.
The 104,860-square-foot building is the first research building of Innovista.
Beginning with the initial planning, the building has been designed to follow the “green design” principles of the U.S. Green Building Council, which advocates buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. The Arnold School of Public Health is the second green building at USC. The first was the West Quad, a residence hall at the corner of Wheat and Sumter streets. West Quad has received a prestigious Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification from the Green Building Council.
FWA Group, a Charlotte-based architectural firm with a staff of LEED-accredited professionals, designed the building.
Environmentally friendly features include the lobby, the floor of which is made of recycled glass terrazzo, broken glass and resin poured into a form for hardening and then polished. The parking lot is paved from the crushed and compacted remains of the Carolina Plaza, a university building that stood on the site next to the new building and was imploded Feb. 5. The building also has low-flow plumbing, which includes waterless urinals, a rainwater collection basin for a self-contained irrigation system and indigenous, drought-tolerant plants. RMF Engineers of Baltimore, the building's project engineer, says low-flow fixtures are expected to save about 30 percent in water usage.
The Arnold School also is aiming for a Silver LEED certification. The building maximizes direct natural light, enhanced by the use of louvers, which reflect and direct light inside; uses carbon dioxide monitors to measure indoor pollutants and modulate the quantity of fresh outdoor air that is introduced into the building; has carpeting, floors and furniture made from recycled materials; has showers and changing rooms to encourage walking and cycling to work or class; and is equipped with motion sensors in larger rooms to control lighting automatically.
The building design is an example of the new, retro style outlined in the university's master plan for its Innovista campus. The color of the brick exterior is gray stone, taken from a palette inspired by the USC Horseshoe.
Occupants of the new building include the Arnold School’s department of environmental health sciences and most of the department of exercise science, with the exception of the academic offices, which remain in the Blatt PE Center. The Prevention Research Center and the Children's Physical Activity Research Group also occupy space in the new building.
Anne’s Garden facts
Anne’s Garden at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health is named for Anne Edens Rainey of Columbia, who earned a bachelor’s degree in 1961 from the university.
The garden and its centerpiece bronze sculpture, “Las Palomas,” are a gift from her husband, John Stringer Rainey, who earned his law degree from the university’s School of Law in 1965.
Anne Rainey is the founder of Columbia Green, a beautification organization in Columbia. The Raineys are active in numerous civic and community organizations in Columbia and throughout the Palmetto State.
“Las Palomas” is the creation of sculptor and printmaker Sandy Scott of Wyoming, considered one of the premiere animal sculptors in the United States. Her work is featured throughout the country, including Brookgreen Gardens.
“Las Palomas” also connotes reflection, one of the “R’s” that signifies the features of Innovista. The other “R’s” are research, retail, recreation and residential.
