Rotation of the building’s third and fourth levels from the grounded lower levels responds to the steeply sloped site, engaging the hill, bridging the access road, and allowing multiple on-grade access and egress points. A projecting area of glazing terminates a campus axis and ties the new building to its adjacent green space to the north.
Organized around a central atrium, the building communicates the spirit and energy of the campus, offering a vibrant, inviting space, both inside and out. Exterior terraces and dining areas integrate the building with the site and promote interaction between the commons and the village’s main quad. The exterior expression of the commons, the design of the interior gathering spaces, and the open, multi-floor circulation core—in concert with materials and finishes selection—all play significant roles in breathing life into the facility and making students feel at home.