Morgan State University Student Center

For this university with a rich history of progressivism, we collaborated with Penza Bailey to imagine a new student center—a building that could offer a unique sense of place, and be flexible enough to adapt to the future, much like the school itself. Our proposal offers 3 distinct plans—Garden, Grove, and Meadow—each utilizing a strategic and highly visible site to create a natural gateway to one side of campus and a "mixing chamber" for student and faculty interaction along the main campus walk on the other. In "Garden," enormous wooden slats expose natural elements, a metaphor for growth and organic discovery. In "Grove", an open glass box blurs lines between indoor and outdoor, faculty and student, learning and recreation. In "Meadow," Brutalist, geometric openings evoke the strength of learned knowledge. The building will include various student services, Registrar, Bursar's, and Admissions Offices, and a Visitor Center.