Campus Life - Student Unions

campus life

2 campus life: student unions

coverUniversity of California, San Diego, Price Center East

social connections

living + learning

student engagement

We believe buildings and spaces are essential tools for achieving a vision for the future.

We believe in honoring the past and engaging the present to create memorable environments for current and future generations.


processDialogue, discussion, communication and collaboration are the hallmarks of Cannon Design’s approach to design for student life. Our process is visual and engaging, going beyond plans and diagrams with three-dimensional models, sketches and other illustration so that all project constituents can clearly understand and contribute to the conversation. By inviting participation and building consensus, we create student-focused environments that meet the goals and aspirations of the campus community.


the heart of student lifeA student union has the ability to be a destination and traffic generator, but it is also a facility that should respond to the patterns of student life and embrace campus and students—creating a place to be, to meet, to see and be seen.

We study existing circulation patterns, current and planned use of existing campus buildings and proposed campus

p8university of california, san diego,price center east

p10texas christian university,brown lupton university union

p12nova southeastern university,university center

p14california state university, dominguez hills,loker student union expansion

p16university of connecticut, student union

p22tidewater community college, norfolk campus, student center

p18university of california, berkeley, student services building and dining facility

p20northern arizona university, student union and dining hall expansion

development guidelines to see where the opportunities are for entrance, connection, interior and exterior spaces that will create an environment unique to each campus.

We also understand the importance of the economic viability of today’s student union and have the analytic tools to help balance revenue generation with social mission.


“ the brown lupton university union has created an environment for rich personal interactions through a variety of spaces; where intellectual vitality and social conversations intersect. central to enriching the texas christian university experience is a building that is a destination for activities that promote out-of-classroom-learning as well as a physical setting to promote student life.”

dr. don mills, vice chancellor for student affairs,

texas christian university

“ We are beginning to build a sense of belonging

and an affinity for nova southeastern university

which we have long lacked. While i continue to

be impressed how cannon design made the

university center fit into the existing space, i

believe it is the growth of our students which

will be cannon design’s lasting legacy at nsu.”

dr. brad a. williams, dean of student affairs,

nova southeastern university

“ Well-detailed inside and out. a very impactful renovation and addition.”

american school and university, design jury commentary

california state university, dominguez hills, loker student union expansion

“ it had to be a building that engaged

users in a way that was productive and

thoughtful, and presented a design that

was both notable and timeless. i believe

the price center does this in full.”

boone hellman, associate vice chancellor of facilities design and construction,

and campus architect, university of california, san diego


university of california, san diego

price center expansion

66,000 sf (renovation)

172,000 sf (expansion)

price center east fosters important

changes in the campus eXperience.

the value of the price center east can be measured by the intensity of use and the transformation of adjacent campus areas, contributing to the continued maturation

of the campus. the expansion, which succeeded without resulting in a decline in the use of the original price center, incorporates numerous sustainable design strategies to achieve leed gold certification.


bluu is the student-life

anchor of a neW campus

commons at teXas

christian university.

the union bridges a campus rooted in rich architectural tradition and a culture that embraces the future, while creating a niche for student participation and social interaction. bluu is the culmination of extensive student-initiated program explorations and design charettes focused on creating an environment for students to live, work and play.

teXas christian university

brown lupton university union

135,000 sf


the university cements campus’ unity,

linKing residential and academic Zones,

and an eXisting dining facility.

to unite the diverse functions of this fusion facility under one roof, a three-story, skylit atrium/galleria space serves as the facility spine, offering access to program components and informal social spaces. generous use of glazing maximizes daylighting and affords engaging views of athletic, recreational and social activities from both inside and outside.

nova southeastern university

university center

322,000 sf


this facility fosters a

sense of community,

supports lifelong

learning, enhances the

educational environment

and creates a desirable

public face for csudh.

the loker student union’s facilities, programs and services enrich university life and contribute to out-of-classroom learning experiences. sitting at the campus’ pedestrian crossroads, the facility is now the hub of campus life. the building, an iconic meeting point, is highly-visible and transparent, advertising the activities inside and fostering a vibrant campus environment.

california state university, domingueZ hills

loker student union




eXpansion preserves

and revitaliZes a

cherished facility

for a neW future.

as a revitalized and expanded hub of campus life at the university of connecticut, the union establishes a connection between central campus activity and the university’s athletics zone. the renovated 1950s-era building is integrated within new construction to create an interior street or four-story pedestrian spine that preserves portions of the original façade in an environment that promotes social collisions.

university of connecticut

student union




architecural scale linKs the campus

to the surrounding neighborhood.

the building is developed as a series of pavilions accommodating the multiple program elements creating an appropriate pedestrian scale for the building that is responsive to the surrounding berkeley neighborhood.

university of california, berKeley

student services building and dining facility

105,000 sf


neW addition dematerialiZes the border

betWeen inside and outside, energiZing the

campus eXperience.

this dining hall addition, adjacent to the student union and campus field house, creates a new central student service hub and focal point for the campus. the facility expands

dining options, offers extended hours to 18,000 students and provides the campus community with flexible areas for individual or group study or socializing. a two-story glass façade creates a seamless connection between the dining hall interior and the surrounding student quad, making the building the place to see and be seen in the heart of the campus.

northern ariZona university

student union and dining hall expansion

27,000 sf


the student center innovatively develops a constricted urban site while preserving an existing pedestrian plaza and gardens. the facility’s collegiate atmosphere is reflected in the comfortable and flexible nature of the outdoor areas with a plaza that belongs to the students, accommodates their needs and celebrates their accomplishments.

tideWater community college, norfolK campus

student center

57,000 sf

on the boardswork in progress

center responds to

the urban fabric of

norfolK’s commercial

and historic district,

becoming an icon for

the campus.


in the last decade, cannon design has been responsible for programming, planning and designing student unions

occupying 2.8 million square feet of space

totalling $700 million of construction cost value

throughout 14 states and provinces

this highly visible and accessible building creates a new gateway and public face for the university. the new union will engage and support students

academically and socially, improve student recruitment and retention, and integrate the campus with the surrounding neighborhood, creating a new urban community. a winter garden utilizing rainwater collection tanks is a key feature of the three-story atrium.

leed platinum in the center

of Washington, d.c.

university of the district of columbia

student union

90,000 sf

the new student union will serve as the icon and gateway to the campus, a hub for student activities, gatherings and campus life at sdsu. the building

reflects the california mission architectural vernacular of the original core campus and will be open, inviting and permeable, celebrating the student experience to attract students to this new campus living room.

reinforcing campus conteXt

With a leed platinum facility.

san diego state university

student union

200,000 sf

revitaliZed landmarK aids

student recruitment.

north carolina a&t university

student union

130,000 sf (renovation and expansion)

Well-located but neglected, this student union no longer met expectations for function, amenities or aesthetics. to renew its stature as a student

destination, the university undertook a major renovation and expansion project. programming included planning driven by client data, benchmarking against peer institutions and operational and financial mapping to ensure economic viability and longevity.


about cannon design

Cannon Design is recognized internationally for the

design of higher education facilities that manifest

design excellence, technological innovation and

sustainable solutions.

Our Ideas Based Practice functions on the principle that

interdisciplinary interaction among planners, architects,

engineers, interior designers and cost estimators results in

the highest-quality planning and design strategies.

We develop strategic ideas and conceptual alternatives in

collaboration with our clients, resulting in environments that

are innovative, functionally sound and cost effective to

operate and maintain. Our award-winning projects reflect

each institution’s spirit and character, while enlivening the

campus environment.

1,000-person firm

Established in 1945

400 LEED-accredited professionals

Internationally recognized for the performance of our projects

services

Campus Master Planning

Architecture

Engineering

Interior Design

Facilities Optimization

Sustainable Design


among our clients Adelphi University • Arizona State University • Asia-Pacific Institute of Management •

Ave Maria University • Boston University • Brandeis University • Brown University • California Institute of

Technology • California State University, Bakersfield • California State University, Channel Islands • California

State University, Dominguez Hills • California State University, Fresno • California State University, Fullerton •

California State University, Long Beach • California State University, Northridge • Camosun College • Canisius

College • Carleton University • Chapman University • Colgate University • Columbia University • Coppin State

University • Cornell University • DePaul University • Flagler College • Fordham University • George Mason

University • George Mason University • George Washington University • Georgia College & State University •

Gettysburg College • Hofstra University • Illinois Institute of Technology • Indian Institute of Technology • Johns

Hopkins University • Kean University • Kyonggi University • Loma Linda University • Massachusetts Institute

of Technology • McMaster University • Minnesota State University • Missouri State University • New York

University • Northern Arizona University • Northwestern University • Nova Southeastern University • Oklahoma

State University • Pepperdine University • Plymouth State University • Principia College • Rochester Institute of

Technology • Sabanci University • Saint Louis University • Saint Paul University • San Diego State University •

Seneca College • Simmons College St. Bonaventure University • State University of New York at Albany • State

University of New York at Buffalo • State University of New York at Oswego • State University of New York,

College at Buffalo • State University of New York, College at Fredonia • State University of New York, College

at Geneseo • State University of New York, College of Optometry • State University of New York, College of

Technology at Alfred • State University of New York, Upstate Medical University • Texas Christian University •

Touro College • Tufts University • U.S. Air Force Academy • U.S. Military Academy, West Point • U.S. Naval

Academy • University of Alabama • University of Alberta • University of Arizona • University of British Columbia •

University of California, Berkeley • University of California, Davis • University of California, Irvine • University of

California, Los Angeles • University of California, Riverside • University of California, San Diego • University of

California, Santa Barbara • University of Chicago • University of Connecticut • University of Florida • University

of Georgia • University of Guelph • University of Illinois • University of Kansas • University of Maine • University

of Maryland • University of Massachusetts • University of Minnesota • University of Missouri • University of

New Mexico • University of San Diego • University of Saskatchewan • University of South Carolina • University

of Southern California • University of Tennessee • University of Toronto • University of Victoria • University

of Wisconsin • Vanderbilt University • Virginia State University • Washington State University • Washington

University • Williams College • Worcester Polytechnic Institute • Yale University • Zhejiang University

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Texas Christian University, Brown Lupton University Union: In association with Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford | University of Connecticut,

Student Union: In association with WTW Architects | University of the District of Columbia, Student Union: In association with Marshall Moya DesignPr

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Campus Life - Student Unions

Documents

texas christian university

buffalo state university

san diego university

tidewater community college

california state university

surrounding neighborhood

san diego

campus community