This $45.2-million, 72,000-sq-ft expansion provided numerous amenities, including large social areas and small study spaces, game rooms, lounges, conference suites, shops and a coffee house. New spaces in the LEED Gold-designed facility incorporate a more identifiable main entry and double-height pavilion to further establish the student union as a campus beacon.

The existing building is predominantly concrete with an exposed concrete waffle slab ceiling. Balancing that system with the addition meant blending new and existing aesthetics while meeting current seismic and fire codes.

Challenges included a 6-in.-dia high-pressure gas transmission line that extends across portions of the site. The line, discovered during the documentation phase, prompted a redesign of the east facade and corresponding spaces on each of the three floors.

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