The exterior renewal hints at significant changes visitors will discover when they enter the like-new building. Drawing students and the community from intersecting pathways across the student mall, the primary southeast entry, redefined by the three-story transparent wall, and outdoor plaza are now accessible to all.
Inside, a grand staircase transports students through the light-filled atrium past the Eagle Store, lounge, and community room on the first level to the ASEWU offices, commuter lounge, and multiple food service vendors with extensive dining areas on the second level. The north side entrance at this level connects to the stadium, fieldhouse, and other fitness activity areas. The third level is an energetic hub for student life, organizations, and services surrounded by meeting rooms and lounges to encourage interaction and collaboration. A career center, technology center, and A/V studio provide additional student resources.
A national award recipient for excellence in diversity, EWU embraces equality and respect for all. Within the PUB, diversity and inclusivity are celebrated and supported in the Multicultural Center and Pride Center. This revitalized student center is essential for social development and life-long connections, keeps students connected to the campus between classes, and is a powerful new recruiting tool for the university.
Engaged creative engineering solutions to upgrade the structure safely and attractively, including slot windows punched through CMU block walls to draw additional daylight into the large multi-purpose community room. The exposed concrete structure above the commuter lounge appears to match the existing, made possible by concealing the steel beams beneath a concrete overlay. Because the original structure is steel-framed, any additions required steel construction – but using a steel infrastructure instead of concrete also helped keep the schedule on track. Where new construction meets old between the second and third levels, the team included cast connections to restrict vibration and movement of the stairs.
Navigated extensive undocumented conditions, frequently encountered during a complex building renovation such as this, assisting the university with swift, thoughtful decisions as unexpected conditions were revealed.
Implemented significant back of house improvements that were critical to support the new programming. Renovation of office areas, the core mechanical equipment rooms under the plaza, and utility tunnels beneath the structure, as well as improved circulation, provided the backbone for increased functionality and more efficient use of the building. Additional upgrades included an extensive seismic renovation of the 1968 structure and the installation of a seismic joint to separate the 1990s addition.
Relocated and upscaled the commuter lounge, complete with dedicated food service and a fireplace for the bitterest of Inland Empire winter days. Our team negotiated with the public transit system to relocate the stop just steps from the entrance to this lounge, which is situated so that riders can see the bus in advance of its arrival.
Added an outdoor terrace on the third floor – a fitting amenity for this warm climate – which masterfully bridges the transition between the 1968 and 1994 construction and cantilevers over the north entrance. Behind the terrace, a green roof spans the steel structure and the seismic joint. Close attention to detailing between disciplines was key to successfully weaving these features into the hybrid structure of new and old construction.
Because of its prominent central campus location, site work around the PUB required attractive, integrated primary access points for all. Proactive collaboration with the design and construction teams addressed critical pedestrian safety concerns and vehicular access, including an accessible outdoor plaza that promotes better flow between Pence, the stadium, public transit stops, and the remainder of the campus. Infilling a portion of the loading dock and bringing the parking lot up to grade added an attractive entrance on the north side.
Working with the university, the civil team extended utility upgrades through the PUB project site to serve nearby areas, expediting future project needs, limiting campus disruption, and reducing budget and schedule impacts of upcoming capital projects. This work included permitting and construction of a new steam tunnel, completed during construction of the PUB, to support the future Interdisciplinary Science Center.
Carefully coordinated below-grade conditions and excavation to add foundations that support the renewed center, preserving critical use of the existing utility tunnels that serve the entire campus throughout construction. Constrained by the height of the basement but needing additional space for upgrades, the team thinned the slab as much as possible to appropriately support the plaza and open space for below-grade infrastructure.
The university and design team took care when balancing project goals with the budget, together making strategic decisions about what elements could be preserved and which would be demolished.
Photography © Kevin Scott – All Rights Reserved and Leone & Keeble, Inc.