Northampton Community College Monroe Campus – Master Plan

Northampton Community College retained MKSD architects in 2007 to design the new Monroe Campus in Tannersville, Pa. The Master Plan for the facility, located on 72 acres of rolling hills in Pocono Township, serves 5,000 students and has become a community focal point.

The firm collaborated with the college and Monroe County community representatives to design the campus. Initial services included programming and meeting with students, faculty, staff, board members and community stakeholders to understand their vision for the campus. A critical goal for the campus is to make it a model for sustainability.

The project’s Phase I consists of three buildings totaling 200,000 square feet of educational space, including classrooms, labs, a library, a food court, and administration and student support offices, as well as a gymnasium and fitness center. Phase II will consist of a performing and visual arts center and additional classroom space to allow the campus to double in size.

MKSD designed the campus based upon Green Design Principles, including minimal site disturbance, natural daylighting, local products utilization, and alternative means for heating and cooling the buildings, as well as other sustainable design strategies.

The campus entrance and driveway wind through a steeply sloped and highly wooded incline. The driveway culminates at the site’s highpoint, and a clearing affords scenic views of the campus. A vista is framed by buildings that flank both sides of a central linear outdoor spine.

Building 1 – Keystone Hall
The two-story Keystone Hall facility contains 50,000 square feet and feature spaces for the Business Office and Enrollment Services, the Student Success Center (library), classrooms, the Dean’s suite, a 3,000 square foot community room and a tiered lecture hall. See the project.

Building 2 – Kapp Hall
Kapp Hall is a three-story, 90,000 square foot building with at least 30 state-of-the-art classrooms with faculty offices integrated for student and faculty collaboration. The facility also offers a child development/childcare center and science and computer labs. The building itself fits into the natural slope of the site and remains easily expandable for the college’s future growth. See the project.

Building 3 – Pocono Hall
The one-story Pocono Hall contains 50,000 square feet and offers a gymnasium, fitness center, a dance studio, a 250-seat cafe and food service area, student interaction/hangout spots, a conference room, and spaces for student groups and clubs. See the project.