STEPHEN F AUSTIN STUDENT CENTER AND ADJACENT PARKING GARAGE

Scientech was the Engineer of Record for the New University Center is a three-level building with an atrium adjoining the renovated part of the existing University Center. The scope of work for the SFASU Power Plant consisted of upgrades and replacement of existing HVAC mechanical equipment boilers, chillers, pumps and two new cooling towers to address current and future needs for the new Phase One University Center expansion program. This included the new masonry and louvred screen walls for the expansion of the outdoor area where the new cooling towers were located and upgrades to the existing building with new canopy covers and exterior stairwell to the roof.

The new University Center includes a 400-seat theatre/auditorium with an audience chamber, stage, dressing rooms, multi-media control room and a new lobby.  Other additional features of the Student Center include Student Organization suites, Student Government offices, Leadership and Spirit Programs, Retail Shops, Food Service, Post Office, Game Rooms, Administration and an Auxiliary Services, Art Gallery a 3-story atrium space and a split five-level parking garage accommodating approximately 400 spaces.

Renovations upgraded the existing bookstore, meeting rooms, offices, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and food service. Scientech and its team worked with the student organizations and the university in passing the referendum to construct the new student center. Programming, feasibility studies and planning were included in the services provided. This included studies of the main campus mall and closing of an adjacent street on the north side of the student center.

The team’s design effort used a successful design process involving multiple presentations, dialogue, reconciliation and consensus building among a diverse group of stakeholders with differing visions. Sasaki served as associate design architect. Project also included a 5-level 400-space precast-structure parking garage next to the student center. The standard campus brick was used to clad the exterior facade.