The UNLV School of Medicine has selected two leading architectural firms to design its medical education building. Local firm Tate Snyder Kimsey (TSK) and Los Angeles-based CO Architects have extensive experience in complex academic, medical education, and health care projects. TSK is the lead firm and will have full responsibility for the project.
“We’re delighted to have two high-caliber firms working with us to inspire the design of our region’s first public medical school,” said UNLV School of Medicine planning dean Barbara Atkinson, MD. “This is an important milestone in the school’s development and puts us another step closer to our goal of creating a world-class center for medical education.”
TSK is an international planning and design firm based in Henderson, Nev., with a 55-year history of creating progressive architectural solutions for its clients. The firm, which also has offices in Reno, Los Angeles, and Shanghai, China, has diverse project portfolio of education design services.
“The new UNLV School of Medicine will be a transformative project for our community, bringing economic diversification and enhanced medical services and professionals to our region,” said TSK president Windom Kimsey, FAIA. “Throughout our firm’s history we’ve helped shape the skyline of the Las Vegas Valley through the design of award-winning, iconic public buildings. We look forward to working on this game-changing facility.”
Teaming with TSK is CO Architects, a recognized specialist in medical education and health sciences facilities. CO Architects has experience in planning and design for multiple start-up schools of medicine across the country in the last decade.
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to play a role in the UNLV School of Medicine,” said Scott P. Kelsey, FAIA, managing principal of CO Architects. “This is our passion. UNLV will be creating a cutting-edge curriculum that incorporates innovative teaching and learning spaces, integrated technologies, and social spaces to enhance the collaborative aspects of learning.”
According to Dr. Atkinson, TSK and CO Architects were selected after a thorough review for their innovative design ideas, their knowledge of the region, and their ability to manage large projects.
“We were impressed by all the firms who submitted proposals and look forward to working with our new partners to create an exceptional medical school for educating future health care leaders,” she said.
Once contracts are finalized, TSK and CO Architects will assess program needs and develop a conceptual design for the medical building. In addition to the new medical school building, TSK will renovate space at UNLV’s Shadow Lane Campus for the medical school’s anticipated inaugural class in 2017. Students will receive part of their training at this site until the new building is completed.
