For college students, having places to connect, relax, and study in a central hub is important to building a sense of community and belonging.

A feature once missing on the College of Southern Nevada’s three campuses, each now offers students active and bright spaces to gather. The three student unions, which opened in the fall of 2019, have a similar 29,000 sf floor plan. The layout lets students move easily among student services locations, study areas, and the café. The commons space is the centerpiece; its window-lined walls visually connect the inside and outside, and its vibrant mix of materials, graphics, and colors adds an expressive, cheerful vibe to the facility that is now the focal point of the campuses. There is also a covered exterior patio adjacent to the commons that provides additional seating and collaboration space.

The interior and exterior furniture offers variety, flexibility, and access to power−all key requests from the students. The exterior site elements include standing- and seated-height bench tables and round dining and casual tables with attached seating provide students even more places to connect, charge devices, and study or relax for long or short periods while taking in the views.