University of Hartford: E. Clayton Gengras Family Student Union

University of Hartford

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE S/L/A/M COLLABORATIVE

The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM), an integrated design and construction services firm, announces completion of the E. Clayton Gengras Family Student Union at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the original dedication of the facility.

Natural and gradual decay of the facility led the university to modernize the infrastructure and aesthetic of the Student Union. During the planning phase a series of interviews, student surveys, consultant site visits, and gathering of data from benchmarking surveys aided the project planning committee in the final design concept. The new building would incorporate flexibility and collaboration with a more efficient infrastructure, enhanced services, and improved aesthetics.

The project provided both expansion and improvements to gathering and recreational spaces, common areas, dining, offices, and meeting rooms. An existing, underutilized patio was transformed into a new 3,000-square-foot interior lounge and dining area named Hawk Lounge. The existing 82,260-square-foot building underwent significant renovations, including a new commuter lounge and Muslim prayer room with foot baths.

With most student services now located on the building’s main level, the concept of a “Student Services Main Street” was achieved. Consolidation of a former lounge area allowed for expansion of the Career Services Center, and new gathering spaces promote collaboration and encourage students to participate in student organizations and activities.

Exterior improvements to the original brutalist architecture include siding that aligns with the university’s branding and school colors, rendering a more spirited look. The front canopy was replaced with a contemporary look and new lighting fixtures. Hawk Terrace was designed to provide a new outdoor area for gatherings and respite seating during non-event hours.

The facility was occupied during expansion and renovation, and SLAM’s multi-phased approach minimized disruptions, maintained functionality during construction, and managed costs that enabled the inclusion of deferred maintenance work in the final project.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management March 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Designing Learning Spaces that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

    In today’s education landscape, schools are more than just centers for learning; they are integral to the holistic development and well-being of students. The global pandemic underscored the importance of addressing mental health in schools, as productivity dropped, stress levels rose and students faced challenges managing emotions.

  • The Role of Unified Communications in Hyflex Education

    Academic technology and pedagogy have evolved in ways few could have imagined a decade ago. Today, hybrid/flexible (or hyflex) learning environments — a mix of in-person and remote instruction — are the new normal. However, as promising as it sounds, making hyflex work smoothly is no small feat.

  • Rush-Henrietta Central School District’s Sperry High School

    A New Perspective: Using Adaptive Reuse Concepts in K-12 Planning

    In the face of increasing pressures on construction timelines, budgets, and material availability, the renovation and reuse of pre-existing structures for new purposes can help bridge the gap between modern school programming and outdated school infrastructure.

  • modern college building with circuit and brain motifs

    Anthropic Introduces Claude for Education

    Anthropic has launched a version of its Claude AI assistant tailored for higher education institutions. Claude for Education "gives academic institutions secure, reliable AI access for their entire community," the company said, to enable colleges and universities to develop and implement AI-enabled approaches across teaching, learning, and administration.

Digital Edition