University of Alabama at Birmingham: Hill Student Center

University of Alabama at Birmingham: Hill Student Center

PHOTOS © HASTINGS+CHIVETTA ARCHITECTS/SAM FENTRESS

Described by University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) President Ray Watts as the new “Living Room” of UAB, the new 162,256-square-foot Hill Student Center designed by Hastings+Chivetta Architects centralizes student services on campus. The new building design is organized around a large student-focused community space that is intended to promote spontaneous interaction between students, faculty and staff, and form the heart of the campus community.

Located in the core academic campus just north of the large Campus Green, the new student center plays a pivotal role in forging a more collaborative and connected student community. The new building welcomes visitors to campus, attracts new students, offers the essential daily services of student life and is the new “place to be” for students.

Bathed in natural light, this central community space forms the backdrop for organized events, impromptu performances and gatherings, as well as daily dining and social activities. The building shape also creates a large exterior space for students near the adjacent Campus Green, and all outdoor spaces face that direction.

Key functions in the four-story student center include extensive seating and lounge spaces, a two-story bookstore, dining, the One Stop student services center, Student Publications & Media, student organization offices, the campus welcome center, multipurpose areas, and a large theater as well as administrative offices. The glass-filled exterior offers transparency into all areas of the facility, truly making it an open and inviting space for students to gather.

The addition of the Hill Student Center on the UAB campus ensures continued progress towards the university’s recruitment and retention goals.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Uvalde Schools Receive AI Security Technology through Grant Program

    AI-powered gun detection and emergency response technology solutions provider Omnilert recently launched the Save Haven Grant program, according to a news release. The first recipient of the grant, aimed specifically at schools that have faced gun violence, will be the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (Uvalde CISD) in Uvalde, Texas.

  • AP Construction Breaks Ground on Two Projects for Austin ISD

    Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) recently announced that it has broken ground on two renovation projects for the Austin Independent School District, according to a news release. The work at McCallum and Anderson High Schools totals 97,350 square feet and is scheduled for completion in January 2027.

  • California School District Starts Construction on Public Safety Center

    The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) recently announced that construction has begun on a new public safety center that will house the district’s safety and security programs. According to a news release, the James Ramos Center for Public Safety will measure in at 17,140 square feet and contain the district’s Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, and cadet program.

  • ECM Technologies Wins ‘Most Innovative Business of the Year’ Award

    HVAC preventative maintenance and efficiency solutions provider ECM Technologies was recently named the “Most Innovative Business of the Year” at the 2025 Champions of Change Awards, according to a news release. The program recognizes Arizona business leaders and organizations taking steps to make a positive impact on the state through innovative thinking and philanthropy.

Digital Edition