Oakland Center Expansion and Renovation

This addition and renovation shifted student activity to the perimeter of the building while moving office spaces to the center of the building, making student life more visible from the outside.

Renovations included the construction of a tiered floor plan with higher ceilings to create a more open atmosphere. Tiered seating created new spaces for study, leisure and group meetings. With many student organizations are housed in the basement of the building, visual connections were made between the basement and ground floor to reduce the sense of separation between areas. On the upper level, two new multipurpose areas were added for larger events. To support improved functionality in the dining area, backhouse areas were upgraded to make daily functions more effective.

Work was completed on a 16-month schedule while the Oakland Center remained fully operational, challenging the team to complete construction in phases. The team focused on maintaining clear communication through signage and project updates to ensure a safe environment for the students, staff and University community members during the project.