The Pence Union Building (PUB), constructed in 1964, was called one of the 20 “most appalling excuses for architecture on college campuses” by MSNBC. A major addition was constructed in the early 1990s. The addition nearly doubled the total square footage, but the PUB felt like two separate buildings to many people. Students described the pre-renovated building as “dark,” “confusing,” “maze-like,” and dated. People spoke of wayfinding difficulties, accessibility challenges, and an area that everyone called “the dungeon.” The original architecture was based on trends from prevailing student union models of its time, with cast concrete and brick walls, small windows, and discrete, private areas to accommodate small groups of students. The design concept behind the renovation focuses on improving the “seam” between the two eras—knitting together the old and the new.

Portions of the former building were preserved and a new connection was created. The redesign creates an easy-to- navigate, open-concept layout that is infused with natural light. The renovated building maintains the traditional campus aesthetic of red brick but introduces modern elements of metal, glass, and wood that connect the structure from the inside and out and knits the salvaged elements of the 1964 building into a seamless whole. Building visitors are welcomed into a soaring atrium filled with natural light and greeted with an auditorium staircase that unifies the building. Expansive glass walls line the new atrium space to ensure the student organizations are highly visible— promoting interdisciplinary chance meetings as well as the cornerstone of future relationships.