Press Releases

April 21, 2000 Light-filled atrium is hub of "new" student center A desire to bring in lots of natural light was the driving force behind the design of a bright, airy student center at the University of Maine Groundbreaking ceremonies are planned April 29 for a student center at the University of Maine that features a two-story, skylit atrium, 150-feet long, and a cascading waterfall. The "new" Memorial Union is being created by two additions totaling 51,000 sq. ft. and renovations to 70,000 sq. ft. in the existing 1950s-era building and is designed to be the center for student activities and services on campus. The center was designed by Harriman Associates, a full-service architecture and engineering firm in Auburn, Maine, and Orcutt Associates, an architecture firm in Yarmouth, Maine. "There will be space for everything from student organization offices, the campus radio station, and study lounges, to a pub and a food court — all accessed from the atrium. And there are many areas throughout the building where students can gather informally," said Gregory D. Ninow, director of design at Harriman Associates. "Besides the functional aspects, the design brings the outside in, with skylights, lots of windows, trees, and other greenery, and even a water cascade between two flights of an open stairway. With Maine's long, gray winters, bringing natural light to the building was a driving force behind our design," he added. The $12.5 million expansion and renovation is the largest capital improvement project ever initiated at the University of Maine in Orono. The project at the 10,000-student university will be completed in six phases and is slated for completion in August 2001. The general contractor, D.L. Poulin, Inc., of Brunswick, Maine, began site preparation in January. Highlights of the building follow: Blending in Brick exteriors with recessed trim on the additions will blend with the existing Colonial- style building and other structures on campus. Flooded with natural light The 36-ft.-long skylight in the atrium will have clear glass blocks alternating with translucent, insulated fiberglass panels to let in lots of light to counteract the gray winters. Two smaller skylights, 10-ft. by 10-ft., at the ends of the atrium add to the effect. And a wall of windows in the dining area overlooks a covered porch and garden. High-tech with warmth Throughout the building, the warm tones of wood and brick contrast with exposed structural steel, painted white, and with details such as steel turnbuckles and cables. A curved wood ceiling in the dining room will be made of pine slats, an inch wide. In the bookstore, the same wood-slat ceiling will curve gently over the cash register, contrasting with exposed steel in another part of the ceiling, and an egg-crate patterned aluminum, painted white, in another part of the ceiling. The red tones of brick columns in the atrium soften and contrast with the metal. From pubs to a food court Diners will have many choices in the new facility, from a food court and pub off the atrium to a coffee shop near student offices in the renovated part of the existing building. Free-standing serving units will offer bagels, tacos, sandwiches, and other popular items, some from national franchises. A more traditional cafeteria is also included. Space to socialize Areas inside and outside the center are designed to encourage the interaction among students that is integral to the college experience. Seating areas throughout the building offer welcoming areas for informal meetings. A wall outside the dining area is low enough for students to sit on. A covered porch in the front of the building provides another outdoor gathering area. Computer connections A lounge with nine computer stations will allow students to check and send e-mail messages and to access the Internet. Bookstore The bookstore was enlarged and relocated to 16,000 sq. ft. conveniently located on the first floor of the new center on the periphery of the atrium. Space for student activities Besides offices for various student organizations, the new center will house the campus radio station as well as a music library and production studio. Harriman Associates is a full-service architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Auburn, Maine. Founded in 1870, it is the sixth-oldest design firm in the country, providing services on educational, governmental, health care, commercial and industrial projects for local, regional and national clients. Orcutt Associates is a planning and design firm, located in the historic Sparhawk Mill in Yarmouth, Maine, providing high-quality architectural, site design, planning and interior design services to a range of clients throughout the country. The firm specializes in providing services to institutional, municipal and commercial clients. back to list