The multi-layered building is located and conceived as the hub of student services and traffic flows, it receives students from the near east edge of campus as students enter and exit the campus from home. GSU is an urban campus serving a commuter population of 24,000 and this is their home-away-from home.

The three storey 120,000 square foot building is connected to the Urban Life Center and serves as its link between the recreation center, parking garage and existing student life buildings. Its north exposure is made open to within with large expanses of glass overlooking the well traveled street. One of the goals of Dr. Carl Patton, former President of the University was to create a facility that not only served the programmatic requirements of the students, staff and administration, but one that was a true expression and an open invitation to the community – this facility does that! Because the building connects to several buildings with several different floor elevations, we designed the interior with sloping walks rather than stairs for ease of movement and without special attention in satisfying ADA accessibility requirements. Lounges are large & open, meant to encourage socialization; nooks are scaled for study by small and private gatherings.

The lowest and main level contains the 800 seat ballroom and 500 seat auditorium respectively. Food court, kitchen and food preparation areas are visually accessible to most all as one moves through the facility. Second and third floors provide offices, meeting rooms, lounges, bridges and walkways to the Urban Life Center and an over look to the Living Room and food court below. The outdoor plaza offers a break-out buffer area with greenery as a relieving contrast to Atlanta’s context of brick, mortar and concrete.

Architectural Design by: David Perkins, AIA
Services performed as employed by other firm