The University of Cincinnati’s recently completed Clifton Court Hall unifies the school’s social science programs into a multidisciplinary research and education facility. The 185,400-sf structure is the university’s largest classroom building, serving its largest college, the College of Arts and Sciences.
Designed by LMN Architects in collaboration with KZF Design, the 185,400-sf, five-floor building unites academic units from various buildings across campus to create a new home for the College of Arts and Sciences. It brings together six departments, including faculty workspace, specialized lab spaces, administrative offices, classrooms, and a central social hub. The new building also acts as an arrival nexus that links the College to the campus core and the adjacent city neighborhood.
As a hub for student collaboration and learning, the building offers over 1,000 classroom seats in flexible flat-floor classrooms, seminar rooms, and a collaborative auditorium. The building also provides study, lab, and social spaces to support non-classroom learning. On the exterior, the terracotta-paneled façade complements the red brick of the prominent campus buildings.
Clifton Court Hall’s central, five-story atrium is infused with daylight from skylights and large north- and south-facing windows, which visually connect the building with the surrounding campus. The atrium serves as a hub for the College, fostering academic and social exchange in community and collaboration spaces and adjacent team rooms. A sculptural red stairway extends three stories diagonally through the atrium.
“The College of Arts & Sciences delivers curriculum to every student on the University of Cincinnati campus,” Susan Lowance, Principal, LMN Architects, said in a statement. “Every student will spend time here learning, researching, and engaging with the outside community, which makes it a building for the whole campus.”
On the Building Team:
Design architect: LMN Architects
Architect of record: KZF Design
Structural and civil engineer and MEP designer: Buro Happold
MEP engineer: IMEG Corp.
Landscape architect: MKSK
General contractor: Messer Construction
Related Stories
ProConnect Events | Jan 16, 2023
6 more BD+C ProConnect Events in 2023 – The videos show why you should participate
ProConnects bring building product manufacturers and suppliers together with architects, contractors, builders, and developers to discuss upcoming projects and learn about new products and technical solutions.
Adaptive Reuse | Jan 12, 2023
Invest in existing buildings for your university
According to Nick Sillies of GBBN, students are increasingly asking: "How sustainable is your institution?" Reusing existing buildings may help answer that.
University Buildings | Dec 22, 2022
Loyola Marymount University completes a new home for its acclaimed School of Film and Television
California’s Loyola Marymount University (LMU) has completed two new buildings for arts and media education at its Westchester campus. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the Howard B. Fitzpatrick Pavilion is the new home of the undergraduate School of Film and Television, which is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 10 film schools. Also designed by SOM, the open-air Drollinger Family Stage is an outdoor lecture and performance space.
Adaptive Reuse | Dec 21, 2022
University of Pittsburgh reinvents century-old Model-T building as a life sciences research facility
After opening earlier this year, The Assembly recently achieved LEED Gold certification, aligning with the school’s and community’s larger sustainability efforts.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Dec 14, 2022
Flood protection: What building owners need to know to protect their properties
This course from Walter P Moore examines numerous flood protection approaches and building owner needs before delving into the flood protection process. Determining the flood resilience of a property can provide a good understanding of risk associated costs.
Adaptive Reuse | Dec 9, 2022
What's old is new: Why you should consider adaptive reuse
While new construction allows for incredible levels of customization, there’s no denying that new buildings can have adverse impacts on the climate, budgets, schedules and even the cultural and historic fabrics of communities.
Student Housing | Dec 7, 2022
9 exemplary student housing projects in 2022
Production continued apace this year and last, as colleges and universities, for-profit developers, and their AEC teams scrambled to get college residences open before the start of classes.
Student Housing | Dec 7, 2022
Cornell University builds massive student housing complex to accommodate planned enrollment growth
In Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell University has completed its North Campus Residential Expansion (NCRE) project. Designed by ikon.5 architects, the 776,000-sf project provides 1,200 beds for first-year students and 800 beds for sophomore students. The NCRE project aimed to accommodate the university’s planned growth in student enrollment while meeting its green infrastructure standards. Cornell University plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.
University Buildings | Dec 5, 2022
Florida Polytechnic University unveils its Applied Research Center, furthering its mission to provide STEM education
In Lakeland, Fla., located between Orlando and Tampa, Florida Polytechnic University unveiled its new Applied Research Center (ARC). Designed by HOK and built by Skanska, the 90,000-sf academic building houses research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms, and faculty offices—furthering the school’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) mission.
Education Facilities | Nov 30, 2022
10 ways to achieve therapeutic learning environments
Today’s school should be much more than a place to learn—it should be a nurturing setting that celebrates achievements and responds to the challenges of many different users.
