Indiana University South Bend, Student Activities Center

South Bend, Indiana

Firm

Architecture Design Group

Client

Indiana University

Area

106,500 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$12,716,081

Completion Date

12/2001

Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) educates a population composed almost entirely of commuter students. Faced with a lack of on-campus social and recreational space, IUSB sought a building where students could enjoy activities outside regular classes.
Situated between academic buildings, the Student Activities Center is accessible from both the campus mall and parking lots, with separate entries for athletic events and daily social and recreational use. To reinforce the hierarchy of adjacent structures, the building is only two stories high, but sits on a deep basement. The bulk of the facility is on this lower level, 15 feet below grade.
The design of the exterior is intended to complement the existing campus architecture. It is clad in Indiana limestone, with both smooth, monochromatic panels and variegated, coursed ashlar blocks. Bands of windows permit views into and out of the entire facility.
The building is designed to be as open as possible to facilitate supervision by a limited number of personnel, and to showcase the activities that occur within.