Student Centers: The Heart of Student Life

Designing for the Students

Young people are idealistic, creative and hopeful for the future. They have an energy and a passion that’s boundless. They need an environment that will nurture, encourage and invite them to think outside of the box. To think anything is possible. And to push them to do the impossible.

I’m David Hatton, principal at Burt Hill. My passion is designing for students. My mission is to create spaces that reflect each student’s unique personality, whether its residence halls or student centers. I want to celebrate their enthusiasm. Most importantly, I want them to be inspired.

As a firm, nearly half of our projects are designated facilities for higher education. Our student life center studio was established in 2001 because we recognized the importance of a department dedicated entirely to the design of student centers and student housing complexes. We now have over 20 architects and engineers assigned to work in the studio.

Who is Laura?

We’ve initiated an innovative approach to student center design, one that is anything but cookie cutter. No two students are alike and we recognize that. The design process is all about incorporating a variety of unique elements and characteristics that will appeal to everyone. Our continued commitment and knowledge of students is demonstrated through “Laura,” whom we frequently reference when discussing our designs. Laura is not just a marketing tool; she is a modern representation of the students for whom we design. She appears on our marketing materials and in our presentations. On each project, we always evaluate what design strategies and initiatives would work best for Laura. Laura needs a space that will let her grow, think, dream and create. Our clients can identify with a student like Laura and are therefore able to make informed decisions that will benefit their own schools, existing students and prospective students.

Recent Projects

For the first time, today’s college students place a greater emphasis on student centers as an integral part of campus life. The student center is often the first building they visit as a prospect prior to matriculating. Students are eager to learn about the school’s social activities and use the student center as a valuable resource. As a result, school administrators are growing increasingly interested in renovating and/or building student centers in an effort to recruit qualified students.

For example, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) commissioned Burt Hill to build a new student center on their campus. The project was originally intended to be a renovation but after carefully evaluating the existing facility, we determined that building a new facility on a different site would be the most cost-effective solution. The modern design of the EMU student center responds to the new trends that prospective students are seeking in a student center, such as providing a centralized resource for students and administrators. The center features a 24-hour computer lab, bookstore, game room, food court, 250-seat auditorium, a variety of administrative offices, as well as student organization offices.

The building also incorporates green design features in an effort to ease the environmental impact of the new facility. An energy efficient lighting system uses motion sensors for individual rooms and offices. A three-story curving glass wall and two skylights on the third floor provide natural daylighting. Eighty percent of the offices also utilize natural daylighting. In an effort to divert and recycle the waste created throughout the construction process, an onsite construction waste management program was initiated.

Similarly, we recently collaborated with OPN Architects to renovate and expand the Iowa Memorial Union, a student center located on the University of Iowa’s campus. For the past 80 years, the student center has been the heart of the campus. However, extensive research with staff and students showed a critical need for upgraded facilities. After taking all of the feedback into careful consideration, we began to design a space that would illustrate the school’s unique character. We placed a significant emphasis on maintaining the historical integrity of the building – a task that proved challenging because the building was erected in 1925 and had undergone five additions prior to this project. Each addition represented a different aesthetic, all of which needed to be woven together with a common thread. The design team connected the classic architecture with the more contemporary façade of the later additions in the 1950s and 1960s. The Iowa Memorial Union now provides a modern and student friendly environment for the entire campus community to enjoy.

Sustainable Design

Sustainable design always plays a significant role in our work. While the aesthetics of a building are important, it is essential to have a building that performs too. Energy efficient systems that use less water and provide clean air and natural light are staples in the buildings we design. Sustainable design is also financially responsible and results in major savings in operational costs in the long run.

As the green movement continues to gather momentum, it is our responsibility to encourage our clients to think and act sustainably. And for scholastic institutions, a sustainable building is often the best teaching tool.

For the Students

We realize that each campus tells it own unique and inspiring story. Our job as architects, designers and engineers is to incorporate each individual story into the buildings we design. Our inspiration has always been and will forever remain the students. We design for them.