Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Bergen Community College: Student Center

  • 12/01/14
Bergen Community College

PHOTOS © JAY ROSENBLATT PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC

To address an increase in enrollment and student center traffic at Bergen Community College, the largest community college in New Jersey, DMR Architects of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, designed a renovation and expansion of the student center to transform a divided campus into a single entity.

The Student Center, the hub of the campus, serves a population of more than 17,000 students, faculty, staff and visitors. Previously, the building lacked a clearly defined entrance, interior space was divided, and interior circulation was inefficient. The building contained narrow stairs, ramps and passageways; food service areas were too small; and the building contained no exterior space.

In renovating and expanding the facility, it was important to create an identity for the building and provide more collaborative seating and lounge options, as well as accommodate growing student clubs. The renovated Student Center now provides efficient interior and exterior seating, a defined entrance, a wider and intuitive circulation pattern and a flexible layout.

The building was designed with sustainability at its core, including numerous sustainable features, such as a green roof, which helps reduce heat loads and stormwater run-off. It also provides an aesthetically pleasing solution to addressing the views of the roof from offices above. Other sustainable features include a new high-efficiency mechanical system, a wood and aluminum curtain wall system, high-efficiency glazing, energy-efficient lighting, low-flow fixtures and locally sourced materials.

The 24,000-square-foot Student Center now provides the students of Bergen Community College with a modernized space for collaboration and social interaction. The project has transformed this vital access point to the campus and has provided a new identity to the college.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Construction Begins on 100+ Acre K–12 Campus Designed for Lakota Culture

    The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) and the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School District in Eagle Butte, S.D., recently broke ground on a new K–12 campus that will cover more than 100 acres and serve students and families across 1,600 square miles, according to a news release.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Announces Acquisition of JJCA

    Wold Architects & Engineers, based in Minneapolis, Minn., recently announced that it has acquired JJCA, an architecture firm based in Nashville, Tenn., according to a press release. JJCA specializes in healthcare and education design; the partnership allows both firms to expand their presence across the country while building on existing strengths.

  • California District Opens New Robotics Center

    The Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) in Cupertino, Calif., recently held a Grand Opening ceremony for a new, district-wide Robotics Center, according to a news release. The 14,500-square-foot facility was designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA); Landmark Constructors served as the builder and Blach Construction as general construction manager.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.