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UMASS Student Union Tour
Tuesday, September 22 | 4:00-5:30 | Zoom |1.5 HSW

The UMass Student Union building, completed in 1957, was designed by architect and UMass alumnus Louis Warren Ross in the modernist style. Located at the center of the UMass Amherst campus, it was the first campus building dedicated to student organizations and extracurricular activities. The facility contains shared common areas, a large ballroom, and dedicated offices for student organizations and other campus services. At the time of its construction, the Student Union was the largest building on campus, and served 4,800 students.  Today, the building supports over 30,000 students and 200 registered student organizations (RSOs).

The $62 million renovation, designed by Shepley Bulfinch, will revitalize the facility as a modern hub for student activity and interaction, and reconnect the building to its surrounding natural landscape. As a “global campus living room,” the design will embrace student entrepreneurship, organizations, and events to support collaboration, multidisciplinary learning, and leadership. The project team is targeting completion for spring 2021, and anticipating LEED Silver Certification.  The building features many strategies in support of the University’s commitment to sustainability.

The program will consist of a project overview and “live” tour led by WMAIA member Derek Noble AIA of Shepley Bulfinch.  Derek will be joined by Shepley colleagues and staff members from UMass Campus Planning.