Description
The Humber Student Centre provides essential student services around a two storey high atrium space at the centre of the North Campus. The new learning commons, main cafeteria, student union offices, study lounges, and student services become a new focal point of activity on campus.
The atrium space is a flexible space, where students can freely organize and group furniture to suit their needs. The space is designed for large scale events and exhibits. It allows users to be drawn into the area where they quickly make sense of the different services offered. Within the central hub of the atrium, the design provides logical transition points to the student union offices, study lounge and student services.
Students move effortlessly between the food services area and the informal learning areas in the atrium. A bridge bisects the space above and supports additional programs including collaborative study rooms, individual study areas, student lounge and retail areas. These spaces are flanked by a large terrace aand leaning rail with views down onto the atrium. A wide feature stair connects the two floors together emphasizing the openness and quality of a main boulevard within a city.
The Humber Student Federation offices overlook the atrium, and are separated from the student centre by a two-storey curtain wall of translucent and red-hued glass overlaid with a pattern of frosted circles providing privacy to the offices beyond. From a distance, the composition of circles creates a pixilated image of a forest from the adjacent Humber Valley – bringing an awareness of the surrounding nature to a space that lacks any views of the outdoors. Prior to the renovation, the atrium lacked a clear focal point. The curtain wall now creates a coherent and visually stimulating backdrop for major events such as convocation and award ceremonies, and serves as a beacon for the student services within.
