Project Description
Reflecting a student-led design approach for Arizona State University’s entire campus community, its hub of student life, the Memorial Union, was reimagined per student surveys envisioning “third spaces” bridging residences and academic centers, more collaborative workspaces, meeting areas, faith-based spaces, high-tech amenities and recreation options. Serving some 30,000 students per day, the Memorial Union implemented additional upgrades to essential student life areas identified in Studio Ma’s master plan for the Memorial Union. The fully redeveloped lower level now offers unique collaborative workspaces for students, a cutting-edge media center for video production training, and new spiritual and contemplation spaces including a meditation room and an ablution space. The second phase of renovations to the Memorial Union achieved LEED Gold certification. The use of lighting simulations to develop the lighting redesign, which saves significant energy, is largely responsible for this achievement. Greywater, bioswales and other water saving measures, eventually reducing water consumption by 85% were also implemented.