Rapidly outgrowing its temporary location near the town square, a small, two-year college in north Arkansas boldly embarked upon a mission to develop an entirely new campus within a modest budget. The five-year old college challenged us to design a traditional campus, from both a planning and aesthetic standpoint, in order to quickly establish a "history" through the architecture.

Our solution involved clustering four new buildings around the hilltop of the newly acquired 120 acre property, creating a new central quadrangle which we entitled the "Village Green." The three-story buildings are tucked into the hillside, and formally address both the students and each other across the Village Green, which contains brick lined promenades and plazas, a central fountain and large hardwood trees. Parking and vehicular access is limited to the perimeter loop drive.

Roller Hall, with its prominent cupola, becomes the central focus of the campus, housing the library, bookstore, student center and main administrative offices. Dryer Hall, with its 125 seat lecture hall, serves as the general classroom building. First National Hall, with its working bell tower, houses the college's business and technology programs. McClain Hall, which houses the science and allied arts programs, cleverly disguises its rooftop equipment within the brick chimneys and widow's walk.

While we carefully crafted each building with its own identity, it is the harmony of the buildings in concert with each other that is evidence of the fact that the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. The new campus has quickly become the focal point of the entire county, and continues to receive praise for its timeless character and inspiring setting.

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