South Dakota Public Universities

University Center | Rapid City, SD

West Plains Engineering provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for this new higher education facility for the Rapid City area. This is the first building on a new campus for a Higher Education Facility for the Rapid City area. Programs from Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, School of Mines & Technology, South Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota are offered on this campus on the East side of Rapid City.

The building consists of two floors of classrooms, including a biology lab, a computer classroom, and several small breakout rooms. The 28,580 square foot main level north wing has an administrative office area, and an auditorium with tiered tables and seating, intended to be used by the universities, as well as rented out to the community, and a bookstore with merchandise from all of the corresponding universities. The 19,600 square foot 2nd floor has an open office space with modern systems furniture for the faculty. The 3,780 square foot mezzanine level was reserved for mechanical equipment and the IT room. The IT room houses the data racks, servers, and UPS. The building is a curve shaped structure with a rotunda focal point at the south center that extends from the main level up to the top of the mezzanine.