Our WorkUniversity at Buffalo Student Union Renovation

Design Brief

Project Location: Buffalo, NY

A|r collaborated with the University at Buffalo to develop a Master Plan providing a visionary, achievable, and cost-effective strategy for the North and South Campus Student Union Facilities. In response to post-pandemic social isolation, the University sought to foster student belonging, wellness, and engagement. A|r led the first phase of this vision through the renovation of the North Campus Student Union, establishing a central Social Heart of the campus.

The project transformed the Union into a welcoming “campus living room” at the crossroads of residential and academic life. Activity is organized along a new central “main street,” with flexible, collaborative, and informal spaces supporting a range of student uses. Students are encouraged to linger and spend more time on campus with movable furniture, collaborative booths, and communal tables that allow users to create their own spatial experiences for study, conversation, or quiet reflection.

Selective removal of partitions and stair enclosures introduced transparency and natural light, creating a permeable threshold that extends throughout. Clear sightlines and a striking new staircase connect the second and third floors, energizing the triple-height space while enabling intuitive navigation and encouraging exploration and interaction. The renovation also addresses acoustic concerns, upgrades HVAC systems to enhance thermal comfort and building performance and captures additional interior space to support the campus living room experience.

Designed to be inclusive for all students, the Union offers a spectrum of environments—from lively and vibrant to peaceful and restorative— forming a flexible, future-forward hub for the entire campus community.