UCF Student Union Expansion and Renovation
Overview
The four-phase renovation and expansion of the University of Central Florida Student Union reduces overcrowding and expands services for students. Phases 1 and 2 reorganized back-of-house functions; renovating and expanding the food court to added five new vendors, providing students with greater variety. Phases 3 and 4 expanded the building with a three-story addition to house a fullservice Starbucks and open seating for 350 students, as well as a computer lab, Bike N’Gold repair service center, 26,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, a lounge/game room, reflection room and information desk. The Student Government Association (SGA) has new suite that includes Chambers, offices and a ticket center.
Features
The addition consists of a steel-framed structure with composite steel-and deck floors and a bar-joist roof system. The faceted “signature” portion of the addition is supported upon and braced by large steel moment frames oriented on radial gridlines. Two steel-framed entry canopy features and an exposed “monumental” staircase provide unique aesthetics for the new space. Consideration of the interface with the existing building was important to the success of the project, since part of addition is overbuilt on the existing structure. The mechanical HVAC design consists of custom VAV chilled water AHUs with direct drive fan arrays. A dedicated AHU was provided for each floor and VAV terminal units with electric heat were provided for independent temperature control of each zone. TLC designed a new electrical service for the expansion, which include a starry lighting fixture outside the SGA Chamber, and smart system controls throughout the expansion with LED lighting. TLC designed power boxes and cabling for the A/V, Voice Data and Security systems.