The Sarazen Student Union project site is an addition enveloping much of their former library building. While the location of the library was sited well as a student hub, its relationship to the residential campus was through a back door. Our design removed half of the building to respond to campus connections and program requirements. A new three story wing accommodates the Dean of Students and student activities, student government, the housing office, conference rooms, the rathskellar/coffee house space and the campus radio station. The former Reading Room was renovated to provide a large student social space and flexible lecture/meeting spaces. A new bookstore and cafe have been constructed on the South facade of the library structure. The entire facility is equipped with a versatile multi-media infrastructure.
A central soaring atrium provides a new campus landmark inviting the campus to a welcoming celebratory space around which the program is organized. The distinctive form will become symbolic of social life at Siena and plant itself into the memory of the campus as one of its most distinctive features.
