Showcasing the possibilities of repurposing a campus building for a new mission, this building invites student engagement in a safe, modern setting.
Description
When Daytona State College needed to repurpose its former student center, the size and location made it ideal to house the Center for Women and Men, the college’s cornerstone for an impressive array of at-risk student support services that are uniquely housed under one roof. Built in 1966, the building had served thousands of students over the years as a cafeteria and student center, among other functions. It was structurally sound but outdated, with a large mechanical room, among other building infrastructure, creating a central visual barrier. To achieve the Center’s need for transparency and safety, RLF’s integrated team proposed a unique planning solution, replacing the aged building systems in a relocated main mechanical room. This approach required extensive design and construction coordination but allowed creation of a central staff touchpoint and eliminated security risks for students and staff.
To meet budget constraints, the design team kept some existing partitions and used furniture appropriated from other campus buildings. Designers worked with Daytona State College officials to select furniture and colors that would both refresh the space and align with the school’s branding.
The renovation included an exterior canopy upgrade that echoed the modern aesthetic of the college’s recently completed new student center, creating a cohesive architectural language on campus as well as an inviting entryway to the building. Reflecting the college’s commitment to helping students achieve their dream of a college education while facing some of life’s most serious challenges, the Center now provides its services—including a food pantry, emergency transportation and shelter resources, technology access, a professional clothing closet, and other services—in a top-notch, functional, modern facility.
When Daytona State College needed to repurpose its former student center, the size and location made it ideal to house the Center for Women and Men, the college’s cornerstone for an impressive array of at-risk student support services that are uniquely housed under one roof. Built in 1966, the building had served thousands of students over the years as a cafeteria and student center, among other functions. It was structurally sound but outdated, with a large mechanical room, among other building infrastructure, creating a central visual barrier. To achieve the Center’s need for transparency and safety, RLF’s integrated team proposed a unique planning solution, replacing the aged building systems in a relocated main mechanical room. This approach required extensive design and construction coordination but allowed creation of a central staff touchpoint and eliminated security risks for students and staff.
To meet budget constraints, the design team kept some existing partitions and used furniture appropriated from other campus buildings. Designers worked with Daytona State College officials to select furniture and colors that would both refresh the space and align with the school’s branding.
The renovation included an exterior canopy upgrade that echoed the modern aesthetic of the college’s recently completed new student center, creating a cohesive architectural language on campus as well as an inviting entryway to the building. Reflecting the college’s commitment to helping students achieve their dream of a college education while facing some of life’s most serious challenges, the Center now provides its services—including a food pantry, emergency transportation and shelter resources, technology access, a professional clothing closet, and other services—in a top-notch, functional, modern facility.
Description
When Daytona State College needed to repurpose its former student center, the size and location made it ideal to house the Center for Women and Men, the college’s cornerstone for an impressive array of at-risk student support services that are uniquely housed under one roof. Built in 1966, the building had served thousands of students over the years as a cafeteria and student center, among other functions. It was structurally sound but outdated, with a large mechanical room, among other building infrastructure, creating a central visual barrier. To achieve the Center’s need for transparency and safety, RLF’s integrated team proposed a unique planning solution, replacing the aged building systems in a relocated main mechanical room. This approach required extensive design and construction coordination but allowed creation of a central staff touchpoint and eliminated security risks for students and staff.
To meet budget constraints, the design team kept some existing partitions and used furniture appropriated from other campus buildings. Designers worked with Daytona State College officials to select furniture and colors that would both refresh the space and align with the school’s branding.
The renovation included an exterior canopy upgrade that echoed the modern aesthetic of the college’s recently completed new student center, creating a cohesive architectural language on campus as well as an inviting entryway to the building. Reflecting the college’s commitment to helping students achieve their dream of a college education while facing some of life’s most serious challenges, the Center now provides its services—including a food pantry, emergency transportation and shelter resources, technology access, a professional clothing closet, and other services—in a top-notch, functional, modern facility.
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