Balancing Multiple Needs Through Innovative Facility Design

Abstract

Designing buildings that incorporate and integrate a number of departments and functions is one way that colleges and universities are balancing financial challenges and facility needs. These buildings can transform the campus, but they require planning and coordination from a carefully assembled design team.

On the Process of Building Knowledge to Support the Design of Digital Tools: A Case Study for Future Residential Buildings on Campus

“…Hence, on one hand we found that financial issues, sustainability, location regarding dinning and parking facilities, and proposal of common spaces are the most common factors used to make design decisions in residence halls design. Furthermore, the key finding from the design decision making point of view was that common spaces are usually proposed to enrich students' life by offering leisure, mentoring, and studying spaces (Balogh, Grimm and Hardy, 2005;Banning and Kuk, 2011;Deninger and Swift, 2009;Li, Sheely and Whalen 2005;Price 2003;Riker and Decoster 2008;Romano and Hanish 2003). On the other hand, the main issues that emerged regarding residence hall evaluations were administrative and technological issues, renovation and maintenance, special population needs, parent involvement, creation of learning communities, multicultural issues, staff issues, students' satisfaction and success, and sense of place of belonging (Amole 2009;Brandon, Hirt and Cameron, 2008;Carrol et all., 2003;Johnson and Cavins 2006;Najib, Yusof and Osman 2011;Thomsen and Eikemo 2011).…”

College Student Unions: A Delphi Study Regarding Purposes, Amenities, Barriers and Future Influences

“…First impressions of the campus matter; quality facilities influence enrollment decisions, while missing, inadequate or poorly maintained facilities lead students to reject potential colleges (Reynolds & Cain, 2006). In particular, research consistently establishes the importance of student unions / student centers in attracting student enrollments and keeping students on campus (Henry, 2004;Reynolds & Cain, 2006;Romano & Hanish, 2003). The student union holds a deep value for students, symbolizing a student-centered institution (Reynolds & Cain, 2006).…”

“…Research consistently establishes the importance of student unions / student centers in attracting student enrollments and keeping students on campus (Henry, 2004;Reynolds & Cain, 2006;Romano & Hanish, 2003). Given that one-fifth to one-third of students will reject a prospective college based on absent, inadequate or poorly maintained facilities (June, 2006), it is important that the student union not only provide the services that students need and want, but the environment (physical, human aggregate, organizational and created) should be consciously designed to help attract and retain students as well.…”

“…Campus facilities are fundamentally related to these goals (Price, Matzdorf, & Smith, 2001;Price, Matzdorf, Smith & Agahi, 2003;Reynolds & Cain, 2006). In particular, student unions / student centers influence college choice and help keep students on campus (Henry, 2004;Reynolds & Cain, 2006;Romano & Hanish, 2003).…”

“…Nearly two-fifths (38.7%) of the 16,153 students in Reynolds and Cain's 2006 study of the role of facilities in student recruitment and retention, said that it was important for them to see the student union during the campus visit/college choice process; and one-fifth (21%) said that the quality of the student union was important or very important to their enrollment decisions. Likewise, Romano and Hanish (2003) noted that the student union is one of the top eight most important characteristics used by a student to make their college choice.…”