S.L.U. Student Union Renovations and Additions

Location

Hammond, Louisiana

Owner

Southeastern Louisiana University, University Facilities Inc.

Southeastern Louisiana University proposes a major expansion and renovation to the existing War Memorial Student Union. The project will include a new 87,163 GSF addition to house multiple new dining operations on two floors, a Multipurpose Ballroom, meeting and conference facilities, on the third floor, and offices and support areas distributed throughout the addition.

The design intent for the exterior facades is to express a vibrant translucent building that welcomes visitors and serves as the ‘Front Door’ to the University. We anticipate an abundance of glazing (especially on the north facade), with brick and limestone trim to match the character of adjacent campus buildings. The first floor will encourage student circulation from residence halls on north campus thru the dining and lounge areas and current mall, to the academic buildings south of the union. While circulating through the union, they will be observing their friends on multiple floors, dining, lounging, meeting and just hanging out in the union.

The North addition, with its three story glass facade, distinctive columns, and engaging roof overhang will complete the southern edge of the quad complementing the Linus A. Sims Memorial Library, Vickers Hall, and Fayard Hall. The north glass facade will showcase student activities within and be an evening lantern on the quad, inviting student participation in the union’s activities. The exterior of the War Memorial Student Union will be maintained with selected exterior walls featured with new windows to display retail activities of the bookstore and other dining and retail activities. The mall windows will be replaced highlighting the energy of the student organizations and student lounges on the second floor and retail on the first level.

The project is a Joint Venture with WTW Architects.