Learning from Texas: Touring Student Centers in the Longhorn State to Inspire WMU’s Efforts

CannonDesign architects and WMU staff and students, spent three days in Texas touring recently completed student centers and dining facilities. These tours of facilities at the University of North Texas, University of Houston, and University of Texas at Austin provided shared firsthand experiences in contemporary spaces that will inspire the design of WMU’s New Student Center and Dining Facility.

At UNT’s University Union, several notable features resonated with the team. The gallery adjacent to the building’s circulation highlights student work, making it accessible to all visitors. The environmental graphics throughout the building made it unmistakably a UNT building, instilling pride for the campus community. Finally, The Syndicate is a double height lounge with a wraparound game room balcony that doubles as an audience overlook for performances in the space below. The technology and flexible furnishings in this space allow it to adapt for day-to-day use by small groups or large student run events and performances.

The central atrium at the University of Houston, University Union provides views to three levels of active student center functions, visually connecting building users. This atrium also serves as the primary gathering space bringing in ample daylight for students meeting on the central monumental stair or grabbing coffee between classes.

At UT Austin’s Student Activity Center the project team was excited by the wide variety of lounge spaces on each level. From open and public, to semi-private and private, every student can find a comfortable space to spend time in the Center. Natural light streams in throughout the building, including the ballroom that incorporates a glass wall into its design. The building is integrated with the surrounding landscape, providing appropriately scaled courtyards fitted with outlets and wifi encouraging student gathering to extend outside of the walls of the Center.

These tours invigorated the project team and inspired new ideas as it moves forward to designing a uniquely WMU Student Center and Dining Facility that reflects the aspirations and passions of the WMU community.