Wor-Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD
The design of the Student Center Renovation and Addition follows the
2001 Campus Master Plan Update developed by Ayers/Saint/Gross. The building
adds much-needed space for student services and activities for an increasingly
dynamic campus life. Enrollment trends show a need to balance the programmatic
requirements of younger full-time students and part-time afternoon or evening
students.
The design was driven by a series of special formal and informal spaces
for maximizing the student life experience. The footprint was shifted slightly
south to allow an exterior forecourt or plaza for dining and other community-building
activities. The shift also creates direct circulation from parking to the
existing lobby entry for access to the expanded bookstore. Architectural
site elements on the southern side provide additional views of the garden
and connection to the proposed child care center.
The exterior of the building also celebrates the entry sequence from
the northern side of campus and the eastern parking lot entrance. The large
windows on the northern facade create an appropriate context of scale and
proportion with adjacent structures while maintaining a strong relationship
from northern campus vistas. The interior perimeter architecture is organized
by a number of viewing opportunities or events that further articulate
internal spatial functions from exterior views.
Large study and lounge spaces enjoy northern views while the Cyber Café and
double-height third-floor meeting room have garden views. Internal visual
cues also provide spatial clarity and appeal. For example, first-floor
dining is centered by a double-height hall that connects to the clubs and
game rooms above. The hall is framed on the north and south by large fish
tanks, and an elevated stage is set at the north end for visual access
from a majority of seating. A full service,commercial-grade kitchen with
serving section has a direct connection to the west side of the dining
area, while the Café has an exterior plaza for dining and includes
other activities related to the garden.
Completion: 2004
Size: 30,000 GSF
Cost: $6,200,00
