VMDO Architects

Building on a 2002 Master Plan, Clemson University set out to fundamentally re-imagine the entire middle of its core campus. The university sought out forward-looking approaches to student life, dining, academic, and housing programs to be combined into an intense, innovative, and dynamic mixed-use center.

Working in concert with Columbia, SC architects, Stevens & Wilkinson, VMDO guided the university from an open, engaging programming effort all the way through inclusive, campus-wide planning and design workshops to culmination in a comprehensive vision for the new union building and its dramatic “town square” concept. Programmed new and replacement space included a new student commons, recreation space, three new residence halls, small but strategic, doses of academic space, and 900-seats of residential and 500-seats of retail dining.

The resulting strategy balances building and landscape through tree-lined parkways, residential courtyards, shady café terraces, and lawn areas. Landscape divides and joins program space, creating a dynamic center for student activity. The enhanced residential dining component includes programming for demonstration cooking spaces, sustainable awareness initiatives, scatter-style serveries, grab n’ go options, and retail dining options.