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Biola University – Talbot School of Theology East Building

By: Beth Esh

            On October 14^th, 2011, Biola University dedicated its newest building on campus, the Talbot School of Theology East Building, known as Talbot East.  After seven years of planning, fundraising and construction the building is now a fully paid for, thriving part of Biola’s graduate and undergraduate programs.

            After raising 70% of the funds necessary for Talbot East, construction began with the ground breaking in June 2010.  Originally planned to finish construction in July 2011, one hiccup in the construction pushed the project out to October 2011 instead.   The overall building cost $18.2 million, broken down roughly to $17 million in construction costs and $1.2 million in soft finishes.  Gensler Architects designed the four-story, 30,617 square foot space to include 34 offices, 8 classrooms, 2 conference rooms, one prayer chapel, and one large multipurpose room.
            Talbot East is Biola’s first LEED certified building with a LEED Silver Certification.  The collaboration of the Gensler design team and Biola’s staff with theologically based thinking to incorporate into the building design resulted in very interesting and unique finishes throughout the space, with LEED qualities that support Biola’s value of creation stewardship. 
            Beginning with the exterior of the building, finishes were specified to reduce the need to repair and replace the completed façade.  The incorporation of three main materials, brick, glass, and Trespa complete a beautiful aesthetic for the building.  Brick provides a durable exterior finish that also looks great and adds color.  Brick is a great classic material that lasts a lifetime.  Translucent opaque glass, possibly 3form, is used as the walls of the conference rooms on the main level.  The curved feature of the glass walls is the only part of the building not rectilinear which creates interest and excitement.  The glass walls are beautiful but when the sun shines on them at certain times of the day it can really heat up the interior of the conference rooms.  The same glass material runs on the exterior of the building into the interior creating a unique continuous look through the glass wall/window separating the inside from the outside.
              Trespa is the third material used on the exterior of the building.  It is a unique material made from recycled paper and wood pulp mixed with a resin.  Trespa is strong, rigid, and long-lasting.  The unique finish of the Trespa changes different shades of grey as the sunlight changes throughout the day.  One of the best things about Trespa is that the sun enhances the look but does not damage it; Trespa has a high classification for UV-resistance and color stability as well as being practically impervious to other weather conditions including acid rain.  To maintain the exterior of the building with Trespa, brick, and glass is as simple as pressure washing, meaning no wasted resources and time resurfacing or painting.

            On the south side of the building are two large windows, known as the “scripture windows.”  These laminated glass windows feature scripture that is readable from both inside and outside the building.  The way the sun catches the windows causes brilliant shadows to cast the scripture into the building on the walls and floors, symbolically bathing the building in God’s word.  The material used to put the scripture on the glass helps to make these large windows to become energy efficient, shielding light and heat from penetrating the building.  This really is a unique and meaningful way to combine LEED points and spiritual values together.
            Also on the exterior of the building, above the first floor is a living roof garden, named Riady Gardens.  This area not only creates a pleasant environment for students to relax and a space to be used for small reception events, it also insulates and cools the building while collecting rain water. 

            Inside the Talbot East building you will find more interesting finishes as well.  The most unique finish on the interior (that is also used in the exterior sunken courtyard) is Jerusalem stone.  Being a University devoted to Biblical teaching, there is rich history in Israel and Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.  The stone used in Talbot East was quarried just outside of ancient Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac are buried, and cut in Jerusalem then shipped to La Mirada, California and installed by City Tile.  The dynamic natural cut stone is used as a wall finish in the elevator lobby of each floor as well as in the exterior sunken courtyard as a wall finish and the backing for a fountain.  The stone has a gorgeous color variation and the natural cut creates a texture that draws you to imagine standing next to a stone wall in ancient Hebron.

            The heart of the building is the Fred and Ruth Waugh Prayer Chapel.  This space, designed to reflect more on the ancient catacombs than on modern day churches, is a place where faculty and students can escape the busyness of the campus and come and kneel at God’s feet.  The finishes throughout the chapel truly are spectacular from floor to ceiling.  The carpet, a natural fiber carpet made from bamboo and banana leaves was taken into careful consideration knowing those coming to the chapel may being kneeling down to pray, is plush and well-padded to fit the occasion.  The benches are appropriately designed for sitting or assisting in kneeling.  The reclaimed cedar and olive wood, harvested from Biola’s own olive trees, creates a beautiful wavy ceiling.  Small stained glass squares of various colors reflect low light into the space and a humble cross at the front draws those who enter to reflect on Christ’s love.

 

In conclusion, the Talbot East building is a great new addition to Biola University and the Talbot School of Theology.  The University can be proud of its first LEED Certified building beautifully executed to exemplify creation stewardship and cutting edge design.  After two years of use, the finishes are holding up great and the building is being well used and well-loved.  It is an inspiration and just the beginning for more LEED building to come in the future of the University.

SOURCES:
Interview 10/22/13 with Jody Spicer, Construction Manager, Biola University
http://magazine.biola.edu/article/12-winter/inside-talbot-east/
http://www.biola.edu/news/construction/talboteast/
http://now.biola.edu/news/article/2011/oct/14/biola-dedicates-new-talbot-school-theology-buildin/
http://www.talbot.edu/watch-live/talbot-east-construction/
http://www.talbot.edu/sundoulos/winter-2011/lead-article/
http://www.trespa.com/us/product/trespa%C2%AE-meteon%C2%AE-fa%C3%A7ades
http://www.citytileandstone.com/gallery/biola-talbot.html
http://www.gensler.com