“The original University Union building opened in 1952 when enrollment at FSU was less than 5,000 students! …When the new Student Union project is completed, it will be an amazing asset to our students and a hub for collaboration and engagement on campus. The new Union builds off holistic wellness initiatives undertaken by FSU in recent years. Those initiatives include ensuring students have positive social outlets, opportunities and environments.”
Dr. Amy Hecht
Vice President for Student Affairs, Florida State University
The design prioritizes connectivity, both physically and experientially, linking interior and exterior environments through elevated porches, terraces, and the university’s largest green roof. A signature tower anchors the building, standing as a visual marker along major pedestrian corridors, reinforcing the Student Union’s role as a central gathering place for the campus community.
Carefully proportioned rooflines, generous overhangs, and energyefficient glazing balance scale with environmental performance, while deep pilasters and patterned brickwork recall the handcrafted details of the university’s historic architecture. A subtle yet intentional design gesture—three rotated bricks integrated into the gable ends—pays homage to the university’s seal, symbolizing the institution’s guiding principles of strength, skill, and character.
Rooted in the Collegiate Gothic character of Florida State University, the design evolves the campus vernacular with a refined composition of red brick, cast stone, and metal detailing. The Gathering Space, a multi-story atrium at the center of the building, introduces natural light deep into the interior while fostering visual and physical connectivity across levels. Cantilevered balconies and circulation bridges activate the space, reinforcing a sense of community and engagement.
Throughout, a recurring diagonal motif references the tribal patchwork of the local Native American heritage, embedding cultural identity within the architectural language.
PROCESS
Campus Planning + Collaborative Vision
“The original University Union building opened in 1952 when enrollment at FSU was less than 5,000 students! …When the new Student Union project is completed, it will be an amazing asset to our students and a hub for collaboration and engagement on campus. The new Union builds off holistic wellness initiatives undertaken by FSU in recent years. Those initiatives include ensuring students have positive social outlets, opportunities and environments.”
The new FSU Student Union redefines the heart of campus life, seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary innovation to create a dynamic hub for student engagement. At 269,000 square feet, the facility replaces the former union with a bold vision—one that expands student government offices, Greek life spaces, flexible meeting rooms, and a grand multipurpose ballroom while layering in informal lounges, study niches, and vibrant social spaces.
