Building UB: The Comprehensive Physical Plan

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UB 2020 > Building UB: The Comprehensive Physical Plan > Work in Progress > Phase II: Campus Concepts > Learning Landscape > Building Concepts

Phase II: Learning Landscape

Building Concepts

Research Lofts

Research Lofts

Campus Concepts Report

Learning Lanscapes

UB Researchers need space that is agile enough to respond to funding cycles while also capitalizing on the access to infrastructure, amenities, and people found on campus. Ideal for ‘dry’ research projects (e.g.: those with a computational focus), Research Lofts provide flexible spaces that facilitate quick, inexpensive set-up and churn; shared-cost resources; and adaptability for diverse space needs for a range of occupancy from weeks to years. The Lofts may also act as swing spaces and be uniquely configured to grant intellectual property rights to occupants.

  • Research Loft Space: Loft Spaces are “leased” to research units as needed to carry out funded research.
  • Depot: Furniture stored for quick start-ups.
  • Faculty Hub: A home base for mobile UB and visiting faculty.
  • Conference: Conference area can be scheduled by UB faculty and organizations, with first priority to researchers.
  • Gallery: Used to exhibit what’s going on upstairs and UB faculty achievements.
  • Research Café: Serves building occupants and surrounding UB community.
  • Parking: Limited shared parking strategically used for faculty visitors, researchers, drop-off/delivery point for equipment, services, and visitors. Critical for Faculty Hub flexibility.
Potential Sites
Potential Sites

Potential sites on North Campus (left) and South Campus (right)

Arts Lofts

Research Lofts

Responding to UB 2020 support for artistic expression and exposure to artistic resources, this innovative live-work complex is modeled after successful arts spaces the world over. A mix of simple inspiring architecture, multi-disciplinary arts activities like dance, visual arts and music, and dynamic live-work studio spaces for visiting faculty and graduate students will create a magnetic center for UB arts. Arts Lofts will open new opportunities for distinguished national fellowships, regional outreach programs and campus arts exposure.

  • Arts Studios + Workshop: Space for dance, music, visual and performing arts programs flexible to accommodate variety of arts activities.
  • Artist Residence: Live-work-exhibition space granted through “Artist in Residence” fellowship.
  • Grad Loft: Live-work space assigned through competitive application
  • Gallery: Conference area can be scheduled by UB faculty and organizations, with first priority to researchers.
  • Gallery: Public space for arts events and exhibition of UB student, faculty and visiting artist work.
  • Café: A unique food destination for the whole UB campus, staffed by arts students with an innovative menu and housing a rotating exhibit of student work.
  • Roof-top Balcony: Strategically used for researchers. Limited shared parking for faculty.
Potential Sites
Potential Sites

Living / Learning Quarter

Research Lofts

One of the first UB2020 initiatives the Living / Learning Quarter mixes campus activities to create an urban condition and activate “the street”. The Quarter also creates synergies inside the building, fostering new relationships between existing activity nodes on campus. It provides a range of attractive housing options for students and faculty, space for new teaching methods and digital media, and introduces innovative food venues. The Quarter is a bold, urban-scale development that provides vitality to the heart of the campus, meets a number of facility needs, and attracts proactive and engaged faculty.

Housing
  • Program Houses: Mixed-use housing creates intimate. Ideal for Honors, Undergraduate Academies etc.
  • Undergraduate Residence: Dormitory model.
  • Graduate Apartments: Diversifies social and academic life.
  • Graduate Family Apartments: Apartments with extended space for families.
  • Faculty Apartments: Located in the more private area with interior access to faculty hub.
Food
  • Café: An informal food destination.
  • Dining Commons: Communal dining.
Learning Spaces
  • Experimental Teaching Lab: Flexible space for variety of teaching modalities.
  • Digital Media Center: A node in a UB-wide network of spaces.
Retail
  • Grocery: Healthy and affordable unprepared food and sundries.
  • Business Center: Provides extra computer, courier, copy and binding services for campus.
Civic Spaces
  • Student Lounge: Informal space open 24-hrs to UB students.
  • Welcome Center: “Concierge” staffed by students/staff with knowledge of UB campus and people.
  • House Club: An intimate multifunctional “parlor” space for the Program Houses.
Potential Sites
Potential Sites

Transit Pavilion

Research Lofts

What if riding a bus, train or bike became the best part of your day? The Transit Pavilion is a place to feel special, have a snack, meet a friend, catch up on the news, or study with a good view of the action. With a prime, convenient location on each campus, this hybrid of a 50’s diner and “Grand Central Station” makes waiting for the bus or train, or locking up your bicycle a treat to look forward to, and a visible sign of UB’s leadership.

  • Transit Café: This warm multi-functional space is the heart of the Transit Pavilion.
  • Schedule/Media Board: Central information display shows real-time bus/train locations and arrival schedule.
  • Bike Station: Secure storage, bike accessories, route and safety information, air supply and simple tools will create a watering hole for the bicycling culture.
  • Hybrid Bus: An upgraded UB Stampede bus fleet with flexible seating for short meetings and study on the go.
  • Bus Stop: A front entrance to the Transit Pavilion.
  • Car-Share Parking
Potential Sites
Potential Sites