Brunswick University Center

3605, Center Road, Brunswick, OH, United States

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Brunswick University Center

3605, Center Road, Brunswick, OH, United States

Type

Educational › Elementary School University Other

YEAR

2011

SIZE

25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft

BUDGET

$5M - 10M

2012 AIA Merit Award, Cleveland Chapter
2011 AIA Citation Award, Ohio Chapter

The Brunswick University Center is a new 30,000 square foot facility located in the City of Brunswick, Ohio. The new building situates itself within a campus of existing civic and educational buildings including the Brunswick Community Center, Brunswick High School and Brunswick Library. The design of
building seeks to enhance the campus environment and connection to
existing buildings while establishing a unique identity for the new
facility. The architecture seeks to create an open and inviting atmosphere for students transitioning between secondary and post secondary education, creating a unique cultural amenity for the City of Brunswick. At
a multiplicity of levels, the architecture is conceived to enhance and
express a dynamic sense of movement throughout the building. Due to the
constraints of the site the building has a modest footprint relative to
its height, which creates a variety of opportunities for sectional
spatial connection. Programmatically
the majority of classrooms are situated on the uppermost levels, which
instigates activity through the section. Movement is concentrated in
the vertical "Street", a passage whose envelope seamlessly connects and
contains a series of lounges, creating a vibrant social space.The
sense of movement is carried through in the material palette and
articulation. Three envelopes, two masonry, one white, wrap the program
and transition effortlessly between interior and exterior surfaces. The
masonry envelopes borrow their hue from the adjacent buildings, a
gesture which roots the new architecture within the existing context.
The white material is utilized to enhance the natural illumination of
the interior captured through the large glazed openings and skylights
strategically located at public spaces. Fenestration is organized as
alternating horizontal and vertical striations whose effect on exterior
captures the movement occurring within the architecture, and on the
interior provides a variety of views whether seated, standing, or
walking.Sustainable design is of the utmost consideration as the project will be seeking a LEED silver certification.