Iona University’s Kelly Center for Health Sciences reimagines a former 1970s library into a 30,000 SF, three-story flagship for the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences. Designed by SLAM, the building now supports Iona’s expanding programs in nursing, occupational therapy, and mental health counseling, creating an environment that fosters interprofessional collaboration and prepares the next generation of healthcare professionals.
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at-a-glanceThe goal of the Kelly Center project was to transform an existing campus building into a modern hub for health sciences education that fosters interdisciplinary learning, promotes wellness, and supports hands-on training. As the first major project undertaken by Iona University on the former Concordia College campus, acquired in 2021, it marks an important milestone in the university’s continued growth.
Through adaptive reuse, the project creates a sustainable, collaborative environment that reflects Iona University’s strategic expansion in healthcare education and supports the next generation of health professionals.
The removal of the original bookstacks created a dramatic double-height space, providing the opportunity to visually and spatially connect the large instructional areas to the main circulation spine, as well as to collaboration and informal breakout spaces across multiple floors. The upper level, with its most flexible and contiguous floor area, was ideally suited for the Simulation Center, including mock hospital units and OT/PT labs. Mental health teaching spaces, which also function as community counseling clinics, are strategically located near the main entrance for accessibility and visibility.
Before: 2-tiered library stacks
After: “Main Street” transforms the former two-tiered stack areas into a vibrant social and informal collaboration space. It takes advantage of a unique feature of the original three-story library, where the self-supporting book stacks had created a partial floor about eight feet below the main level, turning an architectural quirk into a dynamic gathering area.
Before
After
Before: Basement Stacks
After: A student lounge, kitchenette, and vending replace the former basement stacks. The lounge provides respite from the intense academic program and offers healthy food choices at the Grab and Go.
Before
After: Two large active learning classrooms can open to each other and are individually configured to support lecture or team-based active learning scenarios.
After: The large classrooms can be opened to Main Street for special events or left closed for daily use.
Before: Lobby Elevator
After: The main floor lobby welcomes community clientele and guides them to clinical services. Natural light infuses the space, enlivened by environmental graphics by SLAM, creating an open and inviting entry point that sets the tone for the building’s immersive learning environment.
Before
After: A redesigned main entrance maximizes transparency towards the Quad.
The Kelly Center’s open, transformative design and state-of-the-art facilities connect labs, classrooms, and collaboration spaces to support cross-disciplinary learning and interprofessional education. Since opening, it has strengthened Iona’s Health Sciences program and its partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian, expanded graduate nursing programs, provided hands-on learning spaces, and created opportunities for community engagement, making a meaningful impact on students and the region.
The Simulation Suite immerses students in realistic clinical experiences, featuring a mock Nurse Station and high-fidelity mannequins controlled in real time to simulate unexpected medical events. These features sharpen clinical judgment and prepare students to respond confidently and effectively in complex healthcare scenarios.
The Assessment Lab provides a focused environment for students to develop diagnostic and evaluation skills essential to patient care. Existing north-facing windows bring natural light into the space, enhancing the learning experience while students gain confidence and accuracy in clinical assessments.
The Bedside Skills Lab offers an immersive clinical environment where students practice core patient care skills. Equipped with high-fidelity mannequins and fully functioning headwalls, the lab enables learners to develop proficiency in bedside procedures before transitioning to real healthcare settings.
The Occupational Therapy Lab transforms to accommodate a wide variety of therapy situations. Students practice real-life daily activities and client scenarios, building practical skills, clinical reasoning, and adaptable care strategies to promote independence and improve quality of life across diverse settings.
The adaptive re-use of the existing building shell saved more than 70% in embodied carbon over an all-new, replacement facility.
A new, high-efficiency heat pump-based HVAC system greatly reduces fossil fuel use.
High efficiency LED lighting is used throughout to augment a significant, natural lighting strategy.
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