Bowie State University, Student Center
As a growing Historically Black College and University campus, Bowie State desired a new campus connector for student life.
Strategically located at the new south campus precinct and connected to the beautiful and historic campus green, the Center is both an iconic gateway to campus and the heart of student life.
Awards:
- American Institute of Architects (AIA), Baltimore Design Excellence Award, 2014
- Association of College Unions International (ACUI), Facility Design Excellence Award, 2014
Location:
Bowie, MD
Size:
96,000 SF
Services:
Architecture
Year / Status
2014
Built
A Center for Students, Influenced by Students
Students were instrumental in creating the vision for the building, hoping that the new Student Center would serve as a social intersection that greets visitors to the campus and serves as a social gathering place for students.
Based off student vision, the Student Center was designed as a hub of campus activity that fosters a strong sense of community among the Bowie State campus.
Project awards include:
- ACUI Facility Design Excellence Award
- American Institute of Architects, Baltimore Design Excellence Award
“From initiation through completion, WTW Architects [an AE Works company] proved to be an invaluable partner. They worked diligently with our students and administrators in developing a design that not only met the programmatic and aesthetic goals, but also ensured we were staying within the budget.”
- Karl Brockenbrough, Vice President for Administration and Finance, Bowie State University
Fostering Community through Shared Spaces
The Student Center provides a place of gathering and community with spaces such as the dining hall with retail dining options, bookstore, game room, movie theater, and a variety of student group and lounge spaces.
A sequence of outdoor spaces provides additional options for students to interact with each other and the surrounding landscape.
Dining Hall
Movie Theatre
Shared space
Outside gathering space
Game room
LEED Gold Certified Building
The Student Center, with its numerous innovative sustainable characteristics, has become a catalyst for green design initiatives throughout the University and a powerful tool for educating students. The highly transparent and dynamic building successfully integrates essential program components. From outside the building, the expansive glass maximizes transparency–showcasing the activities and community within, and inviting students to enter, participate, and engage. This project was designed in association with Grimm + Parker.
Committed to creating a sustainable, long-lasting building, the BSU Student Center is LEED Gold Certified.