The new Bishop James A. Griffin Student Center provides an iconic gateway building for an expanding campus. Designed to be the university’s new public face, the center provides a visual connection between the campus, the community and nature. The building accomplishes this connection by providing transparent vistas. The open nature of the floor plans, combined with the natural lighting from the clerestory windows above and extensive glazing, allows for a continuous visual connection between the interior and exterior.
Located on the first floor are larger gathering spaces such as eating and coffee areas, lounges and terraces. Most of the gathering and eating functions on this level are centered on the open-to-below space that visually and spatially connects the two floors. Second floor components include the quiet lounge, major conference rooms, the president’s dining room, the meditation suite, student organization spaces, and the administrative and wellness suites.
The jewel of the center is the fitness area, which serves as a visual connection for students in the residence halls on the east side of Sunbury Road. The fitness wing is connected to the existing Alumni Hall, which serves as the main athletic gymnasium. Included in the fitness wing is the main multipurpose/dance studio that overlooks the cardio/weight area, locker rooms and an additional multipurpose athletic court attached to the two existing courts located in Alumni Hall.
