The document discusses the importance of student unions in fostering social connections and student engagement on college campuses. It describes Cannon Design's collaborative process in designing student-focused environments. Several student union projects are highlighted, including renovations and expansions at the University of California, San Diego, Texas Christian University, Nova Southeastern University, and California State University, Dominguez Hills that enhanced campus life through unique social and program spaces. Feedback from university administrators emphasized how the buildings strengthened campus identity and sense of community.

1. campus life

2. social We believe buildings and
spaces are essential
connections
tools for achieving a
living + vision for the future.
learning We believe in honoring
the past and engaging
student the present to create
engagement memorable environments
for current and future
generations.
cover
University of California, San Diego, Price Center East
2 campus life: student unions

3. process
Dialogue, discussion, communication and collaboration are the
hallmarks of Cannon Design’s approach to design for student
life. Our process is visual and engaging, going beyond plans and
diagrams with three-dimensional models, sketches and other
illustration so that all project constituents can clearly understand
and contribute to the conversation. By inviting participation and
building consensus, we create student-focused environments
that meet the goals and aspirations of the campus community.
2 campus life: student unions

4. the heart of student life
A student union has the ability to be a destination and traffic development guidelines to see where the opportunities are
generator, but it is also a facility that should respond to the for entrance, connection, interior and exterior spaces that will
patterns of student life and embrace campus and students— create an environment unique to each campus.
creating a place to be, to meet, to see and be seen.
We also understand the importance of the economic viability
We study existing circulation patterns, current and planned of today’s student union and have the analytic tools to help
use of existing campus buildings and proposed campus balance revenue generation with social mission.
p8 p10 p12 p14
university of california, san diego, texas christian university, nova southeastern university, california state university, dominguez hills,
price center east brown lupton university union university center loker student union expansion
p16 p18 p20 p22
university of connecticut, university of california, berkeley, northern arizona university, tidewater community college, norfolk campus,
student union student services building and dining facility student union and dining hall expansion student center
4 campus life: student unions

5. “the brown lupton university union has
created an environment for rich personal
“Well-detailed interactions through a variety of spaces;
where intellectual vitality and social
inside and out. conversations intersect. central to
enriching the texas christian university
a very impactful experience is a building that is a
destination for activities that promote
renovation and out-of-classroom-learning as well as a
physical setting to promote student life.”
addition.” dr. don mills, vice chancellor for student affairs,
texas christian university
american school and university, design jury commentary
california state university, dominguez hills, loker student union expansion
“it had to be a building that engaged “We are beginning to build a sense of belonging
users in a way that was productive and and an affinity for nova southeastern university
thoughtful, and presented a design that which we have long lacked. While i continue to
was both notable and timeless. i believe be impressed how cannon design made the
the price center does this in full.” university center fit into the existing space, i
boone hellman, associate vice chancellor of facilities design and construction,
and campus architect, university of california, san diego believe it is the growth of our students which
will be cannon design’s lasting legacy at nsu.”
dr. brad a. williams, dean of student affairs,
nova southeastern university
6 campus life: student unions

6. university of california, san diego
price center expansion
66,000 sf (renovation)
172,000 sf (expansion)
price center east fosters important of the campus. the expansion, which succeeded
changes in the campus eXperience. without resulting in a decline in the use of the original
price center, incorporates numerous sustainable
the value of the price center east can be measured by
design strategies to achieve leed gold certification.
the intensity of use and the transformation of adjacent
campus areas, contributing to the continued maturation
8 campus life: student unions

7. bluu is the student-life
anchor of a neW campus
commons at teXas
christian university.
the union bridges a campus
rooted in rich architectural tradition
and a culture that embraces the
future, while creating a niche for
student participation and social
interaction. bluu is the culmination
of extensive student-initiated
program explorations and design
charettes focused on creating an
environment for students to live,
work and play.
teXas christian university
brown lupton university union
135,000 sf
10 campus life: student unions

8. the university cements campus’ unity,
linKing residential and academic Zones,
and an eXisting dining facility.
to unite the diverse functions of this fusion facility
under one roof, a three-story, skylit atrium/galleria
space serves as the facility spine, offering access to
program components and informal social spaces.
generous use of glazing maximizes daylighting and
affords engaging views of athletic, recreational and
social activities from both inside and outside.
nova southeastern university
university center
322,000 sf
12 campus life: student unions

9. this facility fosters a
sense of community,
supports lifelong
learning, enhances the
educational environment
and creates a desirable
public face for csudh.
the loker student union’s facilities,
programs and services enrich
university life and contribute to out-
of-classroom learning experiences.
sitting at the campus’ pedestrian
crossroads, the facility is now the
hub of campus life. the building, an
iconic meeting point, is highly-visible
and transparent, advertising the
activities inside and fostering a
vibrant campus environment.
california state university, domingueZ hills
loker student union
66,000 sf (renovation)
72,000 sf (expansion)
14 campus life: student unions

10. eXpansion preserves
and revitaliZes a
cherished facility
for a neW future.
as a revitalized and expanded
hub of campus life at the
university of connecticut,
the union establishes a
connection between central
campus activity and the
university’s athletics zone.
the renovated 1950s-era
building is integrated within
new construction to create an
interior street or four-story
pedestrian spine that
preserves portions of the
original façade in an
environment that promotes
social collisions.
university of connecticut
student union
56,000 sf (renovation)
152,000 sf (expansion)
16 campus life: student unions

11. architecural scale linKs the campus
to the surrounding neighborhood.
the building is developed as a series of pavilions
accommodating the multiple program elements
creating an appropriate pedestrian scale for the
building that is responsive to the surrounding
berkeley neighborhood.
university of california, berKeley
student services building and dining facility
105,000 sf
18 campus life: student unions

12. northern ariZona university
student union and dining hall expansion
27,000 sf
neW addition dematerialiZes the border dining options, offers extended hours to 18,000 students
betWeen inside and outside, energiZing the and provides the campus community with flexible areas
for individual or group study or socializing. a two-story
campus eXperience.
glass façade creates a seamless connection between the
this dining hall addition, adjacent to the student union and dining hall interior and the surrounding student quad,
campus field house, creates a new central student service making the building the place to see and be seen in the
hub and focal point for the campus. the facility expands heart of the campus.
20 campus life: student unions

13. on the boards
work in progress
center responds to the student center
the urban fabric of innovatively develops
a constricted urban site
norfolK’s commercial
while preserving an
and historic district,
existing pedestrian plaza
becoming an icon for and gardens. the facility’s
the campus. collegiate atmosphere
is reflected in the
tideWater community college, norfolK campus
comfortable and flexible
student center
57,000 sf
nature of the outdoor
areas with a plaza that
belongs to the students,
accommodates their
needs and celebrates
their accomplishments.
22 campus life: student unions

14. leed platinum in the center this highly visible and
accessible building creates
in the last decade, cannon design has
of Washington, d.c.
university of the district of columbia
a new gateway and public
face for the university. the
been responsible for programming,
student union new union will engage and
support students planning and designing student unions
90,000 sf academically and socially, improve student recruitment
and retention, and integrate the campus with the
surrounding neighborhood, creating a new urban
community. a winter garden utilizing rainwater collection occupying 2.8 million
tanks is a key feature of the three-story atrium.
square feet of space
reinforcing campus conteXt the new student union
totalling $700 million of
will serve as the icon and
With a leed platinum facility.
gateway to the campus, a
san diego state university hub for student activities,
student union
200,000 sf
gatherings and campus
life at sdsu. the building
reflects the california mission architectural vernacular
construction cost value
of the original core campus and will be open, inviting
throughout 14 states and
and permeable, celebrating the student experience to
attract students to this new campus living room.
provinces
revitaliZed landmarK aids Well-located but neglected,
this student union no longer
student recruitment.
met expectations for
north carolina a&t university function, amenities or
student union aesthetics. to renew its
stature as a student
130,000 sf (renovation and expansion) destination, the university undertook a major renovation
and expansion project. programming included planning
driven by client data, benchmarking against peer
institutions and operational and financial mapping to
ensure economic viability and longevity.
24 campus life: student unions

15. about cannon design services
Cannon Design is recognized internationally for the
design of higher education facilities that manifest Campus Master Planning
design excellence, technological innovation and
Architecture
sustainable solutions.
Engineering
Our Ideas Based Practice functions on the principle that
interdisciplinary interaction among planners, architects,
Interior Design
engineers, interior designers and cost estimators results in
the highest-quality planning and design strategies. Facilities Optimization
We develop strategic ideas and conceptual alternatives in Sustainable Design
collaboration with our clients, resulting in environments that
are innovative, functionally sound and cost effective to
operate and maintain. Our award-winning projects reflect
each institution’s spirit and character, while enlivening the
campus environment.
1,000-person firm
Established in 1945
400 LEED-accredited professionals
Internationally recognized for
the performance of our projects
26 campus life: student unions

16. among our clients Adelphi University • Arizona State University • Asia-Pacific Institute of Management •
Ave Maria University • Boston University • Brandeis University • Brown University • California Institute of
Technology • California State University, Bakersfield • California State University, Channel Islands • California
State University, Dominguez Hills • California State University, Fresno • California State University, Fullerton •
California State University, Long Beach • California State University, Northridge • Camosun College • Canisius
College • Carleton University • Chapman University • Colgate University • Columbia University • Coppin State
University • Cornell University • DePaul University • Flagler College • Fordham University • George Mason
University • George Mason University • George Washington University • Georgia College & State University •
Gettysburg College • Hofstra University • Illinois Institute of Technology • Indian Institute of Technology • Johns
Hopkins University • Kean University • Kyonggi University • Loma Linda University • Massachusetts Institute
of Technology • McMaster University • Minnesota State University • Missouri State University • New York
University • Northern Arizona University • Northwestern University • Nova Southeastern University • Oklahoma
State University • Pepperdine University • Plymouth State University • Principia College • Rochester Institute of
Technology • Sabanci University • Saint Louis University • Saint Paul University • San Diego State University •
Seneca College • Simmons College St. Bonaventure University • State University of New York at Albany • State
University of New York at Buffalo • State University of New York at Oswego • State University of New York,
College at Buffalo • State University of New York, College at Fredonia • State University of New York, College
at Geneseo • State University of New York, College of Optometry • State University of New York, College of
Technology at Alfred • State University of New York, Upstate Medical University • Texas Christian University •
Touro College • Tufts University • U.S. Air Force Academy • U.S. Military Academy, West Point • U.S. Naval
Academy • University of Alabama • University of Alberta • University of Arizona • University of British Columbia •
University of California, Berkeley • University of California, Davis • University of California, Irvine • University of
California, Los Angeles • University of California, Riverside • University of California, San Diego • University of
California, Santa Barbara • University of Chicago • University of Connecticut • University of Florida • University
of Georgia • University of Guelph • University of Illinois • University of Kansas • University of Maine • University
of Maryland • University of Massachusetts • University of Minnesota • University of Missouri • University of
New Mexico • University of San Diego • University of Saskatchewan • University of South Carolina • University
of Southern California • University of Tennessee • University of Toronto • University of Victoria • University
of Wisconsin • Vanderbilt University • Virginia State University • Washington State University • Washington
PrintED on 50% PoSt ConSUmEr waStE PaPEr
University • Williams College • Worcester Polytechnic Institute • Yale University • Zhejiang University
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Texas Christian University, Brown Lupton University Union: In association with Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford | University of Connecticut,
Student Union: In association with WTW Architects | University of the District of Columbia, Student Union: In association with Marshall Moya Design
28 campus life: student unions

17. baltimore
boston
buffalo
chicago
houston
los angeles
mumbai
new york
phoenix
san francisco
shanghai
st. louis
toronto
vancouver
victoria
washington, dc
50%
cannondesign.com