This renovation of the College of Education at the George I. Sánchez Building transformed their facility by allowing previously scattered departments and research centers to coalesce into definable academic suites, which improved spatial efficiency and staff productivity. New office suites balance openness and privacy in a mix of communal areas and private offices, while hybrid work is addressed through conference and huddle rooms equipped for virtual meetings. Seizing the opportunity to insert new student-centered spaces, the renovation introduced the Glickman Student Lounge to increase connectivity between students, their peers, and faculty. New classrooms were provided to accommodate fluctuations in the size of the student population and to integrate new technology. The building’s public lobbies are vertically stacked, and wayfinding was improved through strategically placed signage, donor walls, and supergraphics. The use of branding elements embeds the mission of the university on accent walls and glass partitions throughout. No swing space and construction in an occupied building required the project to be multi-phased with consideration for circulation and egress of occupants.

Design: McKinney York Architects
Design Team: Michelle Rossomando, AIA, RID; Molly Hubbs, AIA; Sofia Bruni, Assoc. AIA; Navvab Taylor, AIA, RID, LEED AP BD+C; Madhuri Shashidhar, AIA; Panchu Gudigar, AIA; Courtney Tarr, AIA, LEED AP BD+C; Stefi Santacruz; Rossina Ojeda; Patricia Hunt, AIA, RID, LEED AP
Photography: Patrick Wong