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HIGHER EDUCATION

ROBERT B. MENSCHEL MEDIA CENTER
 
Syracuse University, New York
 
 

Incorporating The Community Darkrooms, UUTV, a campus television broadcast facility, WJPZ, a student run commercial radio station, Lightworks, the parent group and the guiding force for the all work done at the darkrooms, a Multi media theater/ lecture hall seating 236 and The Good Food Store, a university operated convenience store, the facility provided numerous challenges in planning to retain the individual identities while developing a cohesive total project.

The project exterior as well as interior modifications were to express the commitment of the University to the visual arts and the technology necessary to achieve it.
 

 
SCHINE STUDENT CENTER
Syracuse University, New York

 

In order to accommodate separate University owned fast food franchises Wolniak Architects, was directed to reconfigure and redesign the existing food serving area in a 1980’s vintage dining center on the Syracuse campus. The elimination of a private dining room  and centrally located beverage counters resulted in the creation of a food court environment with a  more open central staging area for customers. The intent was to create an aesthetic much less industrial in appearance than the original,  incorporating new food serving equipment, finishes, lighting  and signage while at the same time attempting  to improve the acoustical properties of the existing volume. The  only proposed new work in the existing dining area was to create a separate computer cluster, achieved by means of a new freestanding tech wall. In addition to the front of the house modifications the kitchen was partially reorganized to accept new food service equipment.
 

SIMS / LOWE MUSEUM STUDIES
Syracuse University, New York
 
Constructed for $250,000 this two story steel frame pavilion set within the Lowe Gallery proper was designed and constructed  to assist in the training of future museum personnel.
 
Incorporated were secured storage for artwork, student lounge and exhibit design areas at the first level.  The second level classroom facilities with integrated state of the art teaching aids offers a first hand  elevated vantage point from which to observe the gallery exhibit process from inception, through execution, to opening. The transparency of the second level further accommodated  the programmatic requirement  for the intermittent  viewing by scholars and art historians of a pre existing  full width mural at the gallery rear wall.

 

BIRD LIBRARY CAFE
Syracuse University, New York

 

Conversion of existing stack and office areas to new cafe with integrated lounge area went through numerous iterations finally resulting in the completed interior buildout.  This state of the art facility incorporates serving, rear prep and storage areas  that can be discretely secured to offer convenience to the library and adjacent building occupants.  Integrated lighting, finishes and furniture establish a template for future upgrades in the adjacent library areas proper.

 

PARKS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS
Ithaca College, New York

 

Originally constructed in 1987 this lackluster interior was directed by college officails  to be substantially renovated to  alter its  institutional characteristics.   The desire was to create a more upscale and  technologically  forward appearance.  Utilizing new electronic media, wood wall panels complex ceiling treatments, floor finishes and  lighting  in  conjunction with the basic reorganization of the layout made for  a more dynamic interior.
 

 

EGBERT UNION FOODCOURT
Ithaca College, New York

 

Wolniak Architects was commissioned to change the interior of Egbert Union Food Court at Ithaca College, subsequently renamed IC Square.

Originally constructed in 1961 with   substantial modifications in 1985 the newly renovated interior was to reflect the continuity of the college’s tradition through archival photographs and memorabilia integrated into the overall design.  

New finishes, furnishings, lighting  and mechanical systems in  conjunction with the basic reorganization of the layout made for  a more interactive interior that has been received warmly by faculty, staff and students.

 

SADLER DINING CENTER
Syracuse University, New York

 

A 1950’s vintage dining center with attached residence hall has under gone a complete overhaul to change the impression that the existing facility was in fact basement space.  The perception of a low compressed space was altered by the removal of the existing ceiling exposing the long span steel joists and in conjunction with up lighting fixtures to emphasize the height of the interior.  

New restaurant, serving equipment and cabinetry was  integrated into the interior to completely reconfigure the food service layout.  New finishes including wood was selected and new furniture installed to reinforce the dynamic established by the new interior architecture

An expansion of the Dining Center was incorporated into the scope of the project to increase seating capacity, this, in conjunction with clearstory windows and replacement of all perimeter glazing with new energy efficient glass & glazing resulted in an a dramatic change from that of the space prior to renovation.

 

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