Dakota County Technical College, Central Commons Renovation

Rosemount, Minnesota

Firm

TKDA

Client

Dakota County Technical College

Area

16,500 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$1,100,000

Completion Date

08/2017

TKDA

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Design Team: Brian Kelley (Project Manager); Kathryn Poore-Larson (Architect); Michelle Gallagher (Interior Designer); Tim Hoseck (Mechanical); Chris Leiter (Electrical); Rob Schweich (Lighting Designer); Troy Androli (Structural); Bob Krussow (Civil)

Dakota County Technical College’s Central Commons is an open, two-story space for dining, student gatherings, and large campus events. Its renovation was the final phase of an extensive 110,000-square-foot remodeling of the school’s main level. The project sought to build and strengthen campus community among a diverse and non-traditional student body that lives and works off campus.

Prior to renovation, the expansive commons was dark, loud, and unwelcoming with aggregate concrete floors, laminate tables, and vinyl seating. Students spent little time there. With low partitions and a complementary mix of flooring and seating materials, TKDA’s design created more comfortable, inviting, and smaller-scaled spaces. Different furniture types defined multiple settings for eating, studying, meeting, socializing, lounging, and just “hanging out.”

Using improved technology, device-charging locations, new lighting, and sound-absorbing suspended ceiling systems, the renovation has transformed the space, its ambience, and function. Students not only frequent the new commons in record numbers, but they also stay longer and enhance their relationships with classmates, faculty, staff, and the college.