Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Honors College

Indianapolis, Indiana

Firm

Rowland Design

Client

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Area

4,845 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$516,000

Completion Date

10/2010

The dean for the Honors College program had envisioned the space as something that would capture the interest of students, parents and faculty alike. This project has helped the honors program strategically position itself as a leader within the academic community.

Because the Honors College is situated in a basement, special consideration was taken in the planning stages to address the low ceiling height, as well as the invasive mechanical rooms that serve the entire building. To create a highly visible space in the lower level, the architect opened the back wall of the existing scissor stair. Visitors arriving on the stair landing peer through a new glass wall that looks down into the student space. At the bottom of the stair, new glass entry doors and sidelights open the space further.

Ceilings were attached to the new partition assemblies, and sound attenuation was added to avoid the transfer of noise and vibration from the adjacent mechanical rooms. Lighting designed in accordance with ASHRAE standards was a key element to the design’s success, adding visual interest and creating a sense of movement throughout the space.