Union Renovation & Expansion

Design Collective was awarded the renovation and expansion of Towson University’s Student Union, in partnership with WTW Architects. The former Union served the University for 45 years and was not only showing its age, but was considerably undersized for an institution with a projected enrollment of more than 22,000 students.

The design team was focused on creating an open, student-centric facility that enhances first impressions and improves building wayfinding, with flexible spaces that address the University’s current and future needs. Central to this goal was creating a multi-story space that anchors the daily user experience, enabling students, faculty, visitors and alumni to better understand the spectrum of services and programs housed within the facility. The addition spans over the existing loading dock to provide a new plaza in its place, serving as an organizing element along Towson Way and a “front door” to the campus.  This facility includes a 13,000 SF ballroom, a 300-seat auditorium for movie screenings, various improvements to the food service and dining areas, as well as an extension of the dining experience into the plaza.

The comprehensive renovation of approximately 162,000 GSF and addition of 80,000 GSF was accomplished in four phases, using the Construction Manager-at- Risk delivery method and achieved USGBC LEED Silver certification.