Southeastern Louisiana University, War Memorial Student Union

Nearly doubling the size of the existing union, this project transforms a complex series of additions into a cohesive center of student life. The addition unifies the building as it completes the south edge of campus. The result is vibrant building that welcomes visitors and serves as the ‘Front Door’ to the University.

Project awards include: 

  • AIA Baton Rouge Gold Award 
  • IIDA Award of Excellence

Location:
Hammond, LA

Size:
181,000 SF

Services:
Architecture

Year / Status
2016
Built

Connecting the Campus

The inside of the union features the same open and inviting elements that are employed in the design of the outside of the building.

While circulating through the union, students can observe their friends on multiple floors, dining, lounging, meeting, and hanging out in the union.

Creating Student Engagement Through the Built Environment

The expansive glass exterior affords compelling vistas of the quad while displaying the vibrant activity inside the center to the campus community. A shaded plaza along the edge of the quad offers a major pedestrian pathway and gathering spaces that further engage the campus.

“Throughout the entire process they [WTW Architects, an AE Works company] listened to us, the customer and helped us achieve an outstanding facility that is one of the jewels of our campus. They not only designed a new facility, they also renovated our existing space into a new and exciting upgrade that allowed us to expand our offerings to the University Community.”

- Jim McHodgkins, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Southeastern Louisiana University

Mixed-use Space for Every Need

The three-story addition houses: a marketplace, retail dining, and recreation on the first floor; residential dining on the second floor; and a major ballroom and lounges on the third floor. Renovation of the existing building integrates updated student services spaces, meeting rooms, and bookstore into the student center.

We partnered with Holly & Smith Architects on this transformative student life project.

Dining Area

Restaurants

Common Space

Game Room

Convenience Store

Ballroom

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