Overland arranged the site to maximize views of the small lake on the 257-acre campus. The goal was to create an environment that felt distinctly academic and yet invitingly humane. A large central plaza provides ample space for students to congregate and connect, a huge asset for a commuter campus. Looking over the plaza, a clock tower marks the time and gives the grounds a stately, institutional marker.

Overland also designed nine new buildings including a performing arts center, wellness center, library, student commons and services center, and multiple academic buildings. Believing that the quality of the environment contributes to the quality of the work produced within, Overland’s goal was to bring the same standards to this community college as they would to a Tier One university. They approached the aesthetic and technological needs with great attention to detail, meanwhile working with another firm, Ford, Powell, and Carson. The spirit of collaboration allowed the two firms to synthesize their approaches for the good of the project, and the results testify to that success. Northeast Lakeview’s value to the city and surrounding counties will show as facilities continue to accommodate growth in population and programming.