Liberty University’s LaHaye Student Center was originally an industrial building but was acquired and renovated by the school to include academic, administrative, recreational and food service functions to support student life. As the university grew, the existing Student Center required additional space to accommodate the needs of students, as well as create a new facade to unite the former industrial building with the rest of campus.
Home to a 40-foot climbing wall, as well as cardio and weight training facilities, the new recreation space offers students an open, modern facility in which to exercise. Associated renovated spaces include new locker rooms, an elevated walking track connecting both exercise mezzanines, two racquetball courts and several workout rooms. The LaHaye Event Space boasts a 7,686-square-foot fully equipped space for concerts and other Student Union-sponsored functions.
The brick, glass and bronze elements of the exterior allowed the new addition to integrate easily within the campus context, accomplishing one of the project’s major goals. A colonnade was added to provide order and repetition to the linear facade, as well as provide a covered walkway along the building. The use of curtainwall further adds to the open feel of the addition, while allowing light to enter during the day and the facility to glow at night. Two copper-covered domes at each end of the addition anchor the building, as well as highlight and define the entry and climbing wall areas.
