Add as a preferred source on Google

The University of Houston: Student Center

  • 11/01/15
The University of Houston: Student Center

PHOTOS © ANTON GRASSL I ESTO

The renovation of its Student Center reflects the evolution of the University of Houston from a convenient campus that served a largely commuter student body to a nationally recognized academic institution with a strong athletics program. The new complex is designed to reflect the designation as a “Tier One” research university by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, to address students’ expectations and social needs and to facilitate their involvement with different university-based organizations.

With the renovation of 92,000 square feet of existing space and the addition of 120,000 square feet of new construction, the Student Center serves as the vital cultural and social center of the campus. The team of EYP with WTW Architects first considered the facility as part of a busy pedestrian campus. Thinking about the project holistically, with two additional new buildings and the existing building, the design team studied pedestrian traffic patterns, loading and delivery access for the retail spaces, bus and shuttle pickups and the communal exterior space.

At the heart of the Student Center, in the three-story atrium, is the reconceived Arbor Lounge. Here, in the now enclosed interior space, the monumental steps are the focal point for “see and be seen” gathering space. The overall design integrates larger gathering spaces, which can be used more flexibly, with more specifically designated service and administrative spaces.

On the Student Center’s north side a new 68,000-square-foot building solely dedicated to student organizations houses open, collaborative spaces for student organizations. The north addition also includes a new student senate chamber on the second floor. The light-filled double-height North Collaborative Lounge is center of this addition.

To the east is a 52,000-square-foot two-story addition to the original building that houses food services and amenities plus a new 450-seat theater on the ground level. The second floor houses new meeting spaces and two large event spaces.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • 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.

  • illustration of a school building under construction

    One District, One Way: Bringing Consistency to K–12 Construction Projects

    From budgeting to closeout, here's how a single playbook can turn chaos into clarity in school construction programs.

  • sapling sprouting from a cracked stone

    Lessons in Resilience: Disaster Recovery in Our Schools

    Facility managers play a pivotal role in how well a school weathers and recovers from a crisis. Whether it's a hurricane, a flood, a tornado, or a man-made event, preparation determines resilience.

  • FAU Starts Construction on Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

    Florida Atlantic University recently began construction on a new academic building for its campus in Boca Raton, Fla., according to university news. The Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will stand two stories, measure in at 22,000 square feet, and play home to the university’s Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs.

Digital Edition