Architecture News Plus (ANP) – Architecture and Design Magazine

Muenster University Center at The University of South Dakota

This is a project by Charles Rose Architects and it is located at Vermillion, South Dakota, United States. Project's program: Student union building housing campus dining, a bookstore, student lounges, study rooms, function rooms, an informal performance venue, a café, and a grand ballroom. There are nine images for Muenster University Center at The University of South Dakota.

: © John Edward Linden

Project details

Project name: Muenster University Center at The University of South Dakota
Location: Vermillion, South Dakota, United States
Program: Student union building housing campus dining, a bookstore, student lounges, study rooms, function rooms, an informal performance venue, a café, and a grand ballroom
Area: Project Size: 76,000 sf
Year: Completion: 2009
Project by: Charles Rose Architects
Others: Acoustics: Acentech • Cost Consultants: Architecture Incorporated • Civil Engineer: Sayre Associates • Structural Engineer: Dan Bonardi Consulting Engineers • MEP: Associated Consulting Engineering • Food Services: Aramark • Contractor: Kraus-Anderson Construction Company

Project images

Designer's statement

The Theodore R. and Karen K. Muenster University Center, designed by Charles Rose Architects, is at the heart of campus life at The University of South Dakota. The 76 000 square-foot student union, completed in 2009, provides a central location for many essential student services; it houses campus dining, a bookstore, student lounges, comfortable study rooms, function rooms, an informal performance venue, a café, and a grand ballroom. In addition, it is home to the offices of the Dean of Students, Student Government Association, Student Activities Center, University Housing, and University Event Planning.

The building occupies an important site within the campus. To the north the building addresses the primary east-west avenue of Vermillion and is a perimeter for the campus; to the east the glass facades of the second floor ballroom and dining area below act as entry beacons to the campus and to the historic north-south mall which is punctuated visually by Old Main to the south. The south side of the building frames two new quadrangles: to the south-east, north of the link lab which connects the library to the University Center, is a more intimate courtyard, with a dining terrace and an outdoor classroom; to the southwest, the building forms the edge of a large collegiate open space, which replaces a large parking area.

The building provides multiple scaled venues for various activities from impromptu poetry readings to music performances to lectures. In addition to the smaller spaces within the building, the grand ballroom can be sub-divided to accommodate small as well as large activities or performances. This grand space, which cantilevers over an outdoor dining space, provides compelling views of the campus and Vermillion beyond. The link lab connects the University Center to the University Library, acting not only as a technology resource center but also as a primary circulation path during the long, cold winters.

As the primary food service location on campus, the design provides a variety of dining areas; on the ground floor, a common café faces southwest onto the quadrangle and serves as a common gathering place. The café opens to a terrace and a formal garden area. For wintertime use, a fireplace on the east wall of the café provides a hearth for the University community.

The façade is constructed of a regional stone, Sioux Quartzite, which links the building to the history of the University: the stone was used in grand fashion for the majority of the historic buildings on campus, including Old Main, and the historic quarry was re-opened to produce the stone used in this project. The foundation system of piles makes use of recycled concrete from a demolished campus building.