AI booklet

FOSTERING COMMUNITY

FLEXIBILITY [KSS was] impressively patient, tactful, and responsive in working with the many School and University constituencies with interest in the project. I was especially impressed withthe extensive efforts they made to get the inputof our teaching faculty and to adapt the designto that input. The result was not only a highly attractive building, but also one admirably suited to its mission: teaching and learning. —Dave Butler, Retired Dean, Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration



VIBRANCY “The building is fantastic, open, and a wonderful place to work. Everyone comes in with a smile” —Dr. Martin Yarmush, Professor, Biomedical Engineering



COMMUNITY “The atrium preserves in vestigial form some of the features of the great hall, like its visible roof construction and its baronial fireplace. But where the great hall was a discrete room, snug within comfortable walls, the modern atrium is a permeable space, open to the main channels of circulation. It is a place of lively movement and serendipitous collision, less like a room than like the outward swelling of a broad river.” MICHAEL J. LEWIS, The Chronicle Review, July 2003





HANGING OUT “The Warch Campus Center is meant to support the mostexuberant collaborationsamong clubs and organizations,among faculty, students, staff and the community.” Jill Beck, Former President, Lawrence University

BEFOREBEFORE “I was really struck by how even though it was built around the same footprint, how much more sophisticated it looks as a building, how much more space we have. It’s just so much better. It really is a statement of where Drew is headed.” Nick Klein, ’13, WMNJ Program Director, Drew UniversityTRANSFORMATION





“The Warch Campus Center is a figurative ‘crossroads’ of the campus, a dynamic and inviting place that will embody and extend the sense of community at Lawrence.” Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr., ‘77, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Lawrence UniversityTELL YOUR STORY

TIMELESS “With the new Thomas Commons the look and feel of the campus has grown into something new and special. The space has allowed for new opportunities and experiences for myself and the student body at large. I’m excited to see how the new look and feel help the campus to develop as it continues to grow. Thank you for everything you have done.” Max, ‘14, Student, Cornell College





By design, CONNECTION natural light shines through abundant windows into the atrium, breaking downbarriers so students can “see andbe seen” and making it quite easy tofind friends, study, and meet in social groups. The new open plan offers engaging views from the lobby through the marketplace, and out to the historic campus and the valley beyond.

“The new UC really is a work of art. I like the openness and think it will help students come together, improve student life.” Raphael Tshitoko, ’14, Student, Drew UniversityLOCAL AND FRESH





“Students know they can rely on Student Activities to answer questions and bea steady source of support for the development of their ideas and goals.” Robert Poole, Director of Student Activities, Hobart and William Smith Colleges CELEBRATE

STEWARDSHIP “It’s gorgeous, awesome. But what’s even cooler is seeing kids enjoying the space.” Tony Ehinger, Donor, Drew University



THINK BEYONDCONNECTIONSConsider what are important relationships regardingthese program elements and where they belongtowards fostering your community. HANGING OUT Fireplace, Bowling Ally, Cafe FOOD Quad, Eatery, Tent Stadium, Cinema, Ampitheater COFFEE Computer Lab, Monitor, PosterCOMMUNICATION Restaurant, Window Seating, Hearth ATMOSPHERE Texting, Screens, Radio Station CONNECTIONS Event Room, Meeting Room, Hearth Basement, Near Delivery, In the Walls SUPPORT EXPRESSION STORAGE

“What is the impact of this building? We often talk in terms of its physical nature: how it provides certain spaces for campus life to occur, how it is beautifully situated, and how it impacts on our ability to recruit and retain students.But what’s at the heart of it? I think there is a deeper impact, even a primal impact that the Thomas Commons has on our senses every time we come in…seeing,hearing,smelling,tasting, andfeeling. It is our version of Times Square: it appears a little differently each time we look at it…and it never gets old…it brings us together. It makes people happy. That is the impact of the Thomas Commons.” John Harp, Vice President for Student Affairs, Cornell College

Why Are You Building?Comment on why a renaissance of your campus center will fostercommunity and how these issues are important to your institution. TELL YOUR STORY—WHY (AND HOW) DO YOU REPRESENT... Your mission and values? Your heritage? Your potential for the future? IS IT IMPORTANT? “It’s all the community—stupid!” Does everyone believe? Where is everyone safe and secure to reach beyond? How do you represent a culture of respect and learning? TO POSITION THE INSTITUTION Do you showcase your strengths? Do you support excellence in academic success? Do you support personal growth?

TO CREATE A HUB OF STUDENT LIFEDo you meet the demands of student life?Do you support the traditional and non-tradtional student?Do you support the spirit of a student?TO REPRESENT A GROUNDED INSTITUTIONHow do you balance needs and desires?How do you keep a “well-used” place fresh?Camps and conferencesTO SUPPORT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTIONDoes your “vibe” appeal to potential students + faculty?Is this the most comfortable place to bring a guest?Do locals who were students continue to hang out?TO CREATE A CENTRAL PLACE OF INFORMATIONHow do you distribute information?What does your media say about your character?How do you prepare for the unknown?









KSS ARCHITECTS PRINCETON 337 Witherspoon Street Princeton, New Jersey 08542 T 609.921.1131 | F 609.921.9414 PHILADELPHIA Public Ledger Building150 South Independence Mall West Suite 944 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 T 215.320.3000 | F 215.351.5374 www.kssarchitects.com