WKU Commons Project Adds Food to Library Experience

A new student commons is expected to open later this fall at Western Kentucky University. WKU Commons is part of Margie Helm Library and offers study and collaboration spaces alongside dining options. The project is being funded through a partnership between the university's libraries and Aramark, which provides institutional food services, among other lines of business.

The $35-million project was begun in January 2020. Originally scheduled to open in spring 2021, the work was delayed due to the pandemic. Previously, the facility was built in 1934 to house a gymnasium and then a library. The renovation will result in an 85,000-square-foot structure.

Among the design touches are installation of 14 skylights that were part of the original building's design; that work exposed parts of the former "Big Red Barn" basketball court.

WKU Commons at Helm Library
Rendering of The WKU Commons at Helm Library. © Western Kentucky University. Design by Gensler.

"We have designed this common learning space to be warm, inviting and comfortable — where students feel at home and where they feel at ease to study, to collaborate, to converse, and let’s not forget — to dine," said President Timothy Caboni, in a statement issued earlier this year. "So, as we reimagined and reformulated this space, at the center of every discussion was something near and dear to our Hilltoppers and to the entire WKU community — FOOD!"

Venues include both national food brands and location operations. There's also space where pop-up venues can rotate in and out every few weeks.

The LEED Silver project was designed by Luckett & Farley and Gensler. The general contractor is A&K Construction.

The WKU Commons "establishes a new model for campus libraries as centers of social plus academic opportunities that better mirror the world they will work in post-graduation. No longer is a library simply a repository of books and quiet studying," said David Broz, principal in charge for Gensler. "We now look at campus environments with a need for common spaces and places for students, faculty and staff to interact in multiple modes and ways — truly setting everyone up for success."

While the site of the Helm Library has been closed for renovations, staff and materials were moved to the adjoining Raymond Cravens Library, which has remained operational. Recently, the Cravens Library reopened for in-person services.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Case Study Highlights Texas District’s Campus Security Upgrades

    The Taft Independent School District near Corpus Christi, Texas, recently partnered with Intech Southwest Services to revamp its campus security technology system, according to a news release. Intech has released a case study on its website detailing the process that advanced the district’s technology by more than 20 years in less than three weeks.

  • Longwood University Selects Builder for $73M Performing Arts Center

    Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently announced that it has selected Swedish construction company Skanska as the builder of its new performing arts center, according to online news. The project involves the demolition of the current building and constructing a new, 64,500-square-foot facility.

  • Tennessee State University Gains Approval for New Engineering Facility

    Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., recently announced that it has received approval from the Tennessee State Building Commission to build a new engineering building on campus, according to a university news release. The 70,000-square-foot, $50-million facility will play home to the university’s engineering programs and the Applied & Industrial Technology program.

  • i-PRO, NovoTrax Partner for New School Emergency Response Solution

    i-PRO Americas, Inc., which manufactures edge computing cameras, recently announced a partnership with NovoTrax, provider of end-to-end life safety and mass notification solutions, to address gaps in emergency response workflows at K–12 schools, according to a news release.

Digital Edition