University of Louisiana Lafayette Student Union
Lafayette, LA
The student union at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a 170,400 sf renovation, demolition, and addition of the current student union which includes a new kitchen and dining hall, offices for administration, student services, a renovated bookstore, and commons areas. Situated around the existing scenic Cypress Lake, the project also includes a comprehensive master plan to address the entire site and its connectivity to the University.
As the dynamic center of student life, the new student union embodies the University’s mission to provide an enriched, sustainable, social, and educational experience for UL Lafayette students. It is the heartbeat of campus life, the home for special events and traditions, the focal point for student engagement, and the gathering place for the entire campus community.
This new facility is a place of excellence. Serving as the dynamic focal point of co-curricular activities that support a campus culture where a passion for knowledge through the harnessing of ideas, civic engagement, creative spirit, and a robust joie de vivre truly enrich the educational experience. The building is the architectural embodiment of the University’s vision to provide an exceptional campus life experience that is inspiring by design and dynamic in its educational mission.
*This project was completed in association with WTW Architects.
The Challenge
In the heart of University of Louisiana at Lafayette , the aging Student Union building had gradually become a relic of past architectural preferences and functional layouts that no longer aligned with the dynamic needs of modern students. Constructed in the mid-20th century, the structure faced away from the main campus, presenting a closed-off facade that symbolized a disconnect from the academic and social pulse of university life. Inside, its outdated design failed to support the evolving demands for technology integration, collaborative spaces, and quality of life enhancements crucial for today’s academic environment. The challenge was to design a new Student Union that not only met contemporary academic and leisure requirements but also connect the existing bookstore and theater in the union. Another challenge was the existing swamp in the middle of campus with live alligators.
The AQ Solution
The new Student Union was conceived as a beacon of modernity and inclusivity, designed to reflect the vibrant spirit of its student body while addressing the physical and symbolic barriers posed by the old structure. AQ Studios was able to design and bring together the existing parks of the union, while maintaining the modernization of the new building.