IN a bid to create more space for its growing facilities and students, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) will open the AcadeAmic Building 4 (AB4) on December this year.
The school administration said the 10-story edifice will house the School of Hotel, Restaurant, Institution Management (SHRIM), which will be equipped with Master Chef-style kitchen laboratories. Moreover, it will feature the first school-based Oenology Center, which focuses on the study of wines.
The AB4 will be also house departments such as School of Professional and Continuing Education, and support offices such as the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life, satellite server of the Information Technology Department, satellite office of Finance, Registrar, General Administration and Services Departments.
Meanwhile, the center will also host its own Learning Resource Center, initiative learning studios, and a publicly accessible chapel, plus the Solomon Restaurant, one of SHRIM’s student-run bistros and a cafeteria.
The AB4 will address the needs of academic spaces and facilities while allowing the flexibility of use and function for activities beyond regular classes.
“With this fourth campus, we will be able to decongest our classrooms in the different campuses,” said Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC, president of DLS-CSB in a press statement.
“We are going to have some high-end culinary arts laboratories and specialized experimental-experiential classrooms, where can be visited to see what it means to be teaching in the future,” he added.
Architect Dan Lichauco of Archion Architect designed the building. The building situated between the corners of Arellano and Ayala Streets, Manila, will incorporate structure and elements consistent for a tropical country, with natural ventilation and proper solar orientation for specific areas.
“For inclusion, we are making sure that all of our facilities are PWD-ready and deaf and blind-friendly,” said Benhur Ong, vice president for Administration.
Local construction titan DM Consunji Inc., a pioneer of advanced engineering technology, was tapped to construct the building.