A New Home for Discovery at American International College

The best facilities don’t just house programs. They embody them. At American International College, this project established a cohesive visual identity for the Health Science program through thoughtful architectural design, reflecting the program’s core focus on human movement, physical potential, and strength. As the first project delivered under the College’s new master plan, the renovated facility creates a commanding presence along Springfield’s State Street and signals where AIC is headed next.

The 20,200-square-foot facility advances exercise science education with cutting-edge features, including a versatile human performance laboratory, two integrated exercise science labs, a simulation center, a BOD pod for body composition analysis, and a dedicated phlebotomy lab. Classrooms seamlessly integrate with a collaborative administrative suite and conference area, fostering a direct connection between theoretical learning and hands-on application.

Designed Around the Way Students Learn

Preserving the original structural framework, the renovation reimagined the building from the outside in. A restored brick exterior and large windows create visual connections between interior spaces centered around a dynamic courtyard. To maximize both space and impact within budget constraints, traditional corridors were replaced with an atrium-based circulation system, opening up the floor plan and letting natural light do the work that hallways never could.

The facility’s social spaces are just as intentional. A flexible lobby accommodates gatherings and events, inviting lounge areas encourage informal collaboration, and the expansive courtyard ties it all together. These aren’t afterthoughts. They’re designed to foster the kind of engagement that integrates laboratory work, classroom learning, and community connection into a single, seamless experience.