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Perkins+Will designs new building as a central connection for university campus
Located in the center of three separately defined campus quadrants at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, the Tinkham Veale University Center is an 80,000-sq-ft building designed for convergence of students from each quadrant and forms a connection point that ties the whole campus together.
The site is adjacent to a large open field, under which lies a two story parking structure that prevents any new building area above. Because of this, the design takes advantage of the perimeter area, while still connecting student pathways from directions to all campus quadrants. The perimeter cantilevers over the existing underground parking structure with landforms built up to meet the edge, which then form into an expansive green roof.
The Center provides two storeys of student activities ranging from study areas, dining space, meeting rooms and a special large event area. School faculty is also given offices to augment the building on both levels. With the majority of the façade comprising glass, an abundance of natural light diffuses to all occupants inside.
Metal panels cover the major floor plates and frame large expanses of curtain wall. Concrete is used on several key features including a restaurant / bar and a rising wall that forms an amphitheater at its apex. A double wall on the western face provides unobstructed views while minimising excessive heat gain for the students in the double-height Commons.
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