University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Student Union Phase I

Knoxville, Tennessee

Firm

Barber McMurry Architects; McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects and Interior Designers Joint Venture

Client

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Area

144,018 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$65,846,346

Completion Date

06/2015

The first phase of the new Student Union at the University of Tennesseee, Knoxville, opened in June 2015. It includes a book and technology store, extensive dining and seating, the Center for Career Development, and other office space.
The building is the new central hub for students, faculty, and staff to meet, eat, and relax.
The building’s interior features orange accents, and its large rooms are designed for students to study and socialize in comfortable spaces for meetings and group collaborations. Alumni accomplishments, campus icons, and points of interest will be displayed through large-scale graphics.
A glass and terrazzo staircase links four floors of the green building. Features include a lighting system that adjusts to make best use of daylight to save on energy costs. The first two levels house the VolShop, VolTech, and VolBooks stores. The new VolShop is 14,500 square feet.
More dining options and expanded seating include four options on the third floor and two on the fourth.
The project also extended the Johnson Ward Pedestrian Walkway to an outdoor plaza and courtyard with links to the new pedestrian bridge to the Hill and an adjacent Blueberry Falls greenway.