I stumbled on this promotional video by BHNT Architects of Buffalo showing their redesign of the Buffalo State Student Union interior spaces. The transformation is quite dramatic. The Student Union is actually an amalgam of two or three buildings constructed at different times. The original dull boxy brick sections were built in the 50s or 60s. In the 70s a major campus upgrade was designed by Chicago’s Perkins and Will Architects. They designed a major residential complex along the north edge of the campus and realigned the central campus quad with 2 new buildings and substantial expantion of 2 existing buildings. To the south of the quad they added a new administration building, to the north a dramatic curving lecture hall. The library on the east received a large addition as did the student union on the west. The four buildings were related architecturally to work as a unit around the quad. They are visually attractive, giving the campus architectural distinction that it never had since its original set of buildings from the 1930s were built. Each of the new buildings used a deep red rustic iron spot brick and expressive exposed cast in place concrete structures. Interior spaces included dramatic atriums and stairs. In the spirit of their era however, the spaces were also heavy and dark with many warren like areas of hallways and small rooms. Several later renovations and decorative ‘improvements’ left the student union looking worn and dated. I have not seen this recent renovation in person. But, I do remember the rat-maze like food service area of my time at the college and this a major step up.
From what I can see in this video they have done a great job opening up the spaces and adding visual energy with color and light without eliminating the good elements of the Perkins and Will buildings. It is great to see so much investment in Buffalo’s campuses. Back in my day the plan seemed to be to not invest anything and try to scrape by. The old ways of Buffalo do seem to be vanishing.