Our concept is Work Hard, Play Hard — a philosophy that unites achievement with joy, reminding us that dedication and celebration belong together. By committing fully to our goals, we unlock success, and by embracing play, we restore energy, spark creativity, and strengthen connections. By blending recreational, professional, and restorative functions, the building will become a welcoming, energizing environment where students, staff, and faculty can thrive both personally and professionally. It will serve as a alternative to the athletic focus of campus life, offering spaces that inspire imagination, support career growth, and provide opportunities for relaxation and reflection
On a campus where athletics dominate the landscape, there remain few spaces dedicated to recreation, creativity, and personal renewal. While students and faculty have access to gyms, stadiums, and training facilities, opportunities to “play” in ways that nurture imagination, self-expression, and holistic well-being are limited. The existing building, with its outdated rooms and uninspiring hallways, fails to support the diverse needs of today’s learners and professionals.
Students struggle to find environments where they can feel both energized and organized, or experience solitude while still being part of a community. They lack accessible spaces to explore personal growth — whether signing up for a maker class in their free time, visiting the career center during moments of uncertainty, practicing public speaking in a conference room, or attending resume workshops. Faculty and staff similarly need places for respite, reflection, and professional development.
The building will be transformed into a multifunctional hub that fosters creativity, wellness, and connection. Featuring maker spaces, career support areas, conference rooms, yoga studios, tutoring centers, and respite rooms, it blends recreational, professional, and restorative functions.
Designed to encourage play, exploration, and renewal, the facility will provide a welcoming environment where students, staff, and faculty can thrive personally and professionally. Serving as a counterbalance to the athletic focus of campus life, it will inspire imagination, support career growth, and offer opportunities for relaxation and reflection
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OUR SPACES
THE PLAYHOUSE CAFE
The Playhouse Cafe is a welcoming spot where students can grab a healthy bite with plenty of variety. It’s designed for both socializing with friends and enjoying quiet time alone while still being part of a lively room. With modular seating and different height levels, the space adapts to any mood, making it flexible, comfortable, and bright.
THE CAREER CENTER
The Career Success Center is a flexible lounge designed to support professional growth. With comfortable, adaptable seating, it offers space for practice, collaboration, and one-on-one guidance from career professionals. Students and faculty can attend resume workshops, refine job skills, and prepare for future opportunities in a welcoming, supportive environment. Paying homage to the legacy of Hughes Hall, the center embraces a music-inspired theme that celebrates creativity, rhythm, and harmony.
THE HUB
The Hub is a transformed, unconventional auditorium designed for both large gatherings and everyday use. Featuring learning stairs and a variety of seating options, it creates an adaptable environment for study, collaboration, and casual connection. At its core, a large stage and screen remain for multipurpose, blending academic and cultural experiences. Inspired by the Giunti Odeon, The Hub celebrates creativity and community, offering a dynamic space where ideas and performances come to life.
THE BREATHING ROOM
The Breathing Room is a yoga studio seamlessly connected to an indoor greenhouse, offering a restorative retreat on campus. Designed with biophilic patterns and natural materials, it brings the calming presence of nature indoors. This space provides room for movement, reflection, and renewal—giving students, staff, and faculty a chance to pause, breathe, and recharge when they need a break.
THE ART STUDIO
The Art Studio is a maker space where students can sign up for recreational classes to explore interests beyond the classroom. It offers a creative escape, encouraging experimentation, self-expression, and hands-on discovery. Designed as a place to recharge and imagine, the studio fosters both personal growth and artistic play.
