Add as a preferred source on Google

Emory University: Emory Student Center

  • 10/01/19
Emory University 

TOP/MIDDLE/BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTOS © KAY HINTON
TOP LEFT/MIDDLE PHOTOS © ANN WATSON, EMORY PHOTO/VIDEO EMORY PHOTO/VIDEO
EXTERIOR PHOTOS COURTESY OF DUDA|PAINE ARCHITECTS

The new Emory Student Center (ESC) on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta opened its doors in May. The innovative 130,000-square-foot facility houses an array of student-centered features including a high-tech gaming and recreation lounge; a spacious new food center; a convenience store; and innovative spaces for studying, collaboration, and student engagement.

In addition to providing a central location for student-centered services, the facility contains a large multipurpose space which can morph from a series of six meeting rooms into a sweeping ballroom that can hold up to 1,400 guests, with overflow space for another 200.

The ESC is separated into two distinct pavilions, connected by a windowed walkway. The south pavilion houses office space, the dining commons, and lounges. The north pavilion offers additional office space and lounges, storage space for clubs, and a multipurpose room large enough to seat a class together. To mitigate the project’s tremendous scale for the carefully curated context of Emory’s campus, Duda|Paine Architects positioned large portions of the building underground. This allowed tremendous synergies for operations and back-of-house functions to ensure a seamless student-side experience with striking aesthetics.

The central and highly visible placement of the building’s welcome desk within the design’s transparent, prismatic pavilions supports the desire to activate many campus pathways as means of entry rather than a single main entrance.

A sunshade canopy unifies the individual pavilions that together accommodate growing demand for student-oriented amenities, flexible dining, and space for student organizations, socializing, and gathering.

Duda|Paine worked with Emory University, Emory’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives (OSI) and with consultants Pattern R+D, Ecoworks, IMEG, and MHTN Architects throughout the design process to integrate elements and features that would further OSI guidelines. The facility is the first building on Emory’s campus to receive LEED Platinum certification.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management October 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

Digital Edition