In Their Own Words

University Center at Maryville University

Reinforcing a more collegial atmosphere through architecture

Christner designed the new University Center as a gathering place and focal point for the suburban campus, bringing students together throughout the day and evening hours. The Center anchors a major new entrance to the University and presents a strong and inviting façade to the public. In conjunction with surrounding buildings, it forms a new quadrangle for the campus, opening up both informal gathering areas and a formal outdoor space for commencement exercises and major campus functions. The University Center combines social, dining, recreation and study areas, including a bookstore, meeting and student office space, snack bar, game room and quiet study lounge.

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Size: 29,000 sf
Status: completed 2001

<p>The University Center is the first building a visitor encounters on entering the campus from the south. Its signature 50-foot brick and glass clock tower can be seen from all directions.</p>

The University Center is the first building a visitor encounters on entering the campus from the south. Its signature 50-foot brick and glass clock tower can be seen from all directions.

<p>The north elevation frames a new quadrangle that creates inviting outdoor gathering places. The brick, metal and limestone materials of the building reinterpret the architectural vocabulary of the original campus.</p>

The north elevation frames a new quadrangle that creates inviting outdoor gathering places. The brick, metal and limestone materials of the building reinterpret the architectural vocabulary of the original campus.

<p>Because all elevations of the University Center have major visibility, each façade is special. This east elevation becomes a dramatic backdrop for graduation and offers outdoor seating for everyday activities.</p>

Because all elevations of the University Center have major visibility, each façade is special. This east elevation becomes a dramatic backdrop for graduation and offers outdoor seating for everyday activities.

<p>This large day-lit dining space flows into an outdoor terrace. The interior brick and swooping metal light shelf echoes the exterior design elements.</p>

This large day-lit dining space flows into an outdoor terrace. The interior brick and swooping metal light shelf echoes the exterior design elements.

<p>This space serves as a meeting place for study and informal activity, where all segments of the campus community come together.</p>

This space serves as a meeting place for study and informal activity, where all segments of the campus community come together.

<p>Christner also designed the 23,000 sf auditorium building that completes the quadrangle.</p>

Christner also designed the 23,000 sf auditorium building that completes the quadrangle.

<p>The University Center grew out of a recommendation from Christner's 1995 Master Plan (subsequently followed by a 2004 Master Plan Update) for Maryville University.</p>

The University Center grew out of a recommendation from Christner's 1995 Master Plan (subsequently followed by a 2004 Master Plan Update) for Maryville University.

<p>Christner's landscape architects designed a landscape plan for the quadrangle created by the University Center and several existing buildings. This plan created a central gathering place for formal and informal activities.</p>

Christner's landscape architects designed a landscape plan for the quadrangle created by the University Center and several existing buildings. This plan created a central gathering place for formal and informal activities.

<p>An important design element was Christner's custom signage program that helps to establish a ‘sense of place' on campus for students, visitors and staff.</p>

An important design element was Christner's custom signage program that helps to establish a ‘sense of place' on campus for students, visitors and staff.