Universities are doing whatever they can to try and attract as many applicants as possible, from new residence halls to dining halls, it’s all about creating memorable experiences for students.
Rutgers University - Camden’s most recent attempt at separating itself from competitors is a new branded Welcome Center. Designed by JZA+D, a “winding hallway of discovery” greets admissions candidates and leads to a bespoke reception desk and custom flooring designs.
Courtesy Rutgers University.
The welcome desk, circular overhead lighting fixtures, and accent walls are adorned with custom 3D text. Behind the desk, Rutgers archival pieces and university artifacts rest on illuminated bases and a graphic mural offers a glimpse of academic life imagery.
See Also: Academic honors: The importance of residence halls
Beyond the main waiting area is a hallway with moveable benches and chairs that leads to newly finished meeting rooms and a large presentation space for applicant information sessions. "The new spaces are also very adaptable and flexible,” says Joshua Zinder, Founder and Principal, JZA+D. “For example, the mural wall uses magnetic graphics, so the admissions team can add new images from time to time. Also, the built-in benches along the wall double as storage.”
The completed Welcome Center is now open.
Courtesy Rutgers University.
Courtesy Rutgers University.
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Aug 26, 2015
Innovation districts + tech clusters: How the ‘open innovation’ era is revitalizing urban cores
In the race for highly coveted tech companies and startups, cities, institutions, and developers are teaming to form innovation hot pockets.
University Buildings | Aug 13, 2015
Best of Education Design: 9 projects named AIA Education Facility Design Award winners
Georgia Tech's Clough Commons, Boston's Berklee Tower, and seven other facilities were honored for aiding learning and demonstrating excellent architectural design.
Giants 400 | Aug 7, 2015
UNIVERSITY SECTOR GIANTS: Collaboration, creativity, technology—hallmarks of today’s campus facilities
At a time when competition for the cream of the student/faculty crop is intensifying, colleges and universities must recognize that students and parents are coming to expect an education environment that foments collaboration, according to BD+C's 2015 Giants 300 report.
Contractors | Jul 29, 2015
Consensus Construction Forecast: Double-digit growth expected for commercial sector in 2015, 2016
Despite the adverse weather conditions that curtailed design and construction activity in the first quarter of the year, the overall construction market has performed extremely well to date, according to AIA's latest Consensus Construction Forecast.
University Buildings | Jul 28, 2015
OMA designs terraced sports center for UK's Brighton College
Designs for what will be the biggest construction project in the school’s 170-year history feature a rectangular building at the edge of the school’s playing field. A running track is planned for the building’s roof, while sports facilities will be kept underneath.
University Buildings | Jul 21, 2015
Maker spaces: Designing places to test, break, and rebuild
Gensler's Kenneth Fisher and Keller Roughton highlight recent maker space projects at MIT and the University of Nebraska that provide just the right mix of equipment, tools, spaces, and disciplines to spark innovation.
University Buildings | Jul 2, 2015
Design for new pavilion in Toronto includes a ‘peel-away’ façade
An architect's proposal for a renovation of the main office building at the Ontario College of Art and Design features a façade that fans out from the edges of the building, like it’s opening up to visitors.
University Buildings | Jun 29, 2015
Ensuring today’s medical education facilities fit tomorrow’s healthcare
Through thought-leading design, medical schools have the unique opportunity to meet the needs of today’s medical students and more fully prepare them for their future healthcare careers. Perkins+Will’s Heidi Costello offers five key design factors to improve and influence medical education.
University Buildings | May 30, 2015
Texas senate approves $3 billion in bonds for university construction
For the first time in nearly a decade, Texas universities could soon have some state money for construction.
University Buildings | May 19, 2015
Special Report: How your firm can help struggling colleges and universities meet their building project goals
Building Teams that want to succeed in the higher education market have to help their clients find new funding sources, control costs, and provide the maximum value for every dollar.