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
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.
University Buildings | May 19, 2015
Renovate or build new: How to resolve the eternal question
With capital budgets strained, renovation may be an increasingly attractive money-saving option for many college and universities.
University Buildings | May 19, 2015
KU Jayhawks take a gander at a P3 development
The P3 concept is getting a tryout at the University of Kansas, where state funding for construction has fallen from 20% of project costs to about 11% over the last 10 years.
University Buildings | May 5, 2015
Where the university students are (or will be)
SmithGroupJJR's Alexa Bush discusses changing demographics and the search for out-of-state students at public universities.
BIM and Information Technology | Apr 9, 2015
How one team solved a tricky daylighting problem with BIM/VDC tools, iterative design
SRG Partnership's Scott Mooney describes how Grasshopper, Diva, Rhino, and 3D printing were utilized to optimize a daylighting scheme at Oregon State University's new academic building.
Sponsored | University Buildings | Apr 8, 2015
Student Housing: The fight against mold starts in the bathroom
University Buildings | Apr 8, 2015
The competitive advantage of urban higher-ed institutions
In the coming years, urban colleges and universities will outperform their non-urban peers, bolstered by the 77 million Millennials who prefer to live in dense, diverse, and socially rich environments, writes SmithGroupJJR's Michael Johnson.
University Buildings | Mar 18, 2015
Academic incubators: Garage innovation meets higher education
Gensler's Jill Goebel and Christine Durman discuss the role of design in academic incubators, and why many universities are building them to foster student growth.