School of Architecture & Community Design Begins Campaign to Renovate Building
The School of Architecture & Community Design is embarking on a campaign to renovate its existing 1960s-vintage building. This presents an opportunity to create a highly creative and collaborative environment for students who will have access to facilities worthy of a top-tier research university. Aesthetically, the renovation will add glass to all studio spaces, making it an attractive and inviting glowing box by night and a well-lit, transparent workspace by day. More practically, the design studios, currently virtually void of light, will enhance student growth and learning as they spend long, productive hours in safer, functional, and hospitable spaces.
Embedded within the design studios will be a new open auditorium for lectures, reviews, and special events. The auditorium鈥檚 stepped seating area will physically connect various parts of the building and will encourage an extraordinary degree of interaction and communication between students. In addition, a new third floor gallery space dramatically cantilevers over the sidewalk on the south face of the building. This transparent space will host exhibits, receptions, and other events, while also connecting the School with the surrounding campus. The building鈥攁t once beautiful and utilitarian鈥攚ill offer an interactive space that will singularly transform the presence of the building on the USF campus.