Organized around a two-story atrium, the Saint Mary’s College Center is alive with activity throughout the day. On the main level of the building, students and visitors may select from a variety of food service options, ranging from the latest in campus dining hall fare to sandwiches and coffee at the café. A large but comfortably appointed lounge acts as a campus living room, and is also used as a venue for dances and receptions. The campus bookstore, a bank, and a convenience store are located nearby. Upstairs, past delicate metal trusses and a glazed cupola, are offices for student activities and student government, as well as a private dining room for the university president, complete with an outdoor dining terrace. Downstairs, the facility offers a 100-seat theater for movies and lectures, and meeting rooms for campus conferences.

The 82,000 sf building sits at the center of campus, and takes its design cues from the collegiate gothic-style hall nearby, borrowing its palette of brick, limestone, and slate. Multiple gables, dormers, projecting bays, and an arcade help to reduce the building’s apparent size. A new landscaped green replaces space previously utilized for parking, and terraces and courtyards extend the building’s activity outdoors.

Cost of Construction: $14M