Farrell Student & Community Center

This project was undertaken to transform the building into a modern student center that meets the needs of the growing student community while respecting its history. architecture+ completed the program study and designed extensive renovations to create the new Farrell Student and Community Center. This $15 million project included the insertion of a floor to vertically divide the existing gymnasium to increase the usable square footage. It features food court-style service, a large dining and multipurpose space, a campus store, theater, radio station, exercise and dance studio, student lounges, and administrative and student union offices. The dining space seats between 200-300 and serves 1,000 to 1,200 meals per day.

The new facility also provides specialized facilities to meet the community’s need for cultural and recreational activities, banquets, and meetings. In addition, the project included exterior improvements. We designed a new façade that features large expanses of glass to increase the visibility of campus activities and connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. We also raised the center of the building to create an atrium that serves as a beacon for the campus community.

By thoughtfully considering the building’s structure and history we were able to retain this important campus landmark. Strategic changes allowed us to provide the aesthetics and amenities valued by the contemporary student population.