Anna Ellis MFA Design Proposal

A SPACE TO BLOOM

Florida State University Student Union Design Proposal to Meet the Needs of College Students Who Have Experienced Trauma

Anna Ellis

INTRODUCTION

PROBLEM STATEMENT This new student union for Florida State University’s campus will be designed for the student population with a focus on meeting the needs for trauma and mental health issues, common struggles that many students across campus are facing. The new student union is characterized as comfortable and inviting, embraces the natural light and views of the surrounding campus, and provides multi-use spaces for students to use in between and outside of classes.

Project Name: Florida State University Student Union Project Type: Higher Education Location: Oglesby Union, 75 N Woodward Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306 Users: College students, faculty, staff, local community, and tourists

THE RESEARCH 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced trauma

(National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 2022)

6 Human Needs Principles

Trauma-Informed Design Framework ENVIRONM

Dignity and Self-Esteem

EMPOWERMENT

color

lighting

line + form

CONNECTION COMFORT COMMUNITY CHOICE

JOY

SAFETY

ON

TEX

T

(Adapted from Shopworks Architecture, 2020)

LC

PEACE OF MIND

RA

LIVED EXPERIENCE

scale + proportion

TU

(Pable and Ellis, 2020)

EX

C

Beauty and Meaning

NT

UL

Sense of Community

CO

Surveys, including image-based questions to gauge architectural preferences and reflection questions to learn more about user experiences. Ten follow-up interviews took place to gain a deeper understanding of participants’ choices Participants took into consideration these built environment qualities: scale and proportion, access to views, curvilinearity and rectilinearity, biophilic elements, lighting, color, and materiality. Participants were further asked how these design qualities affect their emotional wellbeing

T

Stress Management

AL

HOPE

Empowerment and Personal Control Security, Privacy, and Personal Space

ENT

How do architectural qualities influence the academic social space preferences of college students who have experienced trauma?

Activities Engaged with in Academic Social Spaces

materiality

prospect + refuge

access to views

biophilia

USER GROUPS Students

Generation Z Undergraduate Graduate

Staff

Dining Operations Custodial

Faculty

Professors Administration Support

Local Community Individuals Families Partners

Tourists

Prospective students Parents

THE SITE

200M

400M

800M

KEY

ABOUT SITE

VEHICULAR CIRCULATION

GREEN SPACE

BUILDINGS

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION

WATER

Situated at 75 North Woodward Avenue in Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, the Florida State University Student Union stands as a dynamic center for campus life. The Student Union benefits from its prime location, fostering accessibility and a strong sense of community.

The campus embodies tradition, innovation, and community, making it an inspiring place for students to pursue their educational journey.

EXISTING

THE CONCEPT

“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower” - Alexander Den Heijer

A space to bloom is embodied in the FSU Student Union and provides opportunities for comfort, choice, community, and growth. Users will be inspired in the nurturing environment through emphasis on features that promote safety, security, and support. Biophilic design and traumainformed design principles will be used to promote user reflection on their own growth and resilience in their unique journeys of blooming.

THE GOALS

LEVEL I • Provide a warm and inviting atmosphere • Emphasize the atrium • Foster a sense of community • Highlight the cafe and dining zone

LEVEL II • Prioritize comfort • Offer a variety of seating • Provide many meeting spaces

LOWER LEVEL • Foster a social ambiance • Ensure visibility • Prioritize accessibility

LEVEL I

DINING

CATEGORY 3 37,102 SF

CATEGORY 2 823 SF

LOBBY

OPEN TO BELOW

CAFE

CATEGORY 1 28,162 SF

OPEN TO BELOW LEVEL 1 FLOOR PLAN

LEVEL 1 FLOOR PLAN CATEGORY 3

1/32"= 1'-0"

NOT TO SCALE

WELCOME

biophilia

materiality

access to views

scale + proportion

LOBBY

F6

F7

W1

Q1

F1

L9

C6

FL1

M1

P4

STUDY SPOT

CUSTOM HIGH TOP SEATING ELEVATION NOT TO SCALE

1

Level 1 1/32" = 1'-0"

scale + proportion

access to views

materiality

biophilia

CUSTOM HIGH TOP SEATING ELEVATION NOT TO SCALE

DINING

1

Level 1 1/32" = 1'-0"

DINING lighting

access to views

biophilia

materiality

DETAILS

DINING

A3

A1

F7

F9

L3

F5

SS1

W1

F3

F4

F1

T4

FL1

W6

C6

F8

A2

CAFE

1

Level 1 1/32" = 1'-0"

materiality

access to views

biophilia

color

scale + proportion

CAFE

SS1

L9

Q1

P4

W1

F5

F4

F6

EXISTING

F3

W3

BE1 FL1

T4

C1

W6

LOWER LEVEL VENUE

CATEGORY 3 10,783 SF

LOBBY

BOH

RR RR

CATEGORY 2 21,205 SF LOUNGE BAR + RESTAURANT

CATEGORY 1 9,232 SF

RR RR

BILLIARDS

NOT IN SCOPE LOWER LEVEL FLOOR PLAN

LOWER LEVEL FLOOR PLAN IN SCOPE

1/32"= 1'-0"

NOT TO SCALE

LOUNGE

1

Lower Level 1/32" = 1'-0"

materiality

biophilia prospect + refuge

scale + proportion

IN THE ZONE

CUSTOM BOOTH SEATING ELEVATION NOT TO SCALE

IN THE ZONE

materiality

lighting

CUSTOM BOOTH SEATING ELEVATION NOT TO SCALE

prospect + refuge

Security, Privacy, and Personal Space

Empowerment and Personal Control

LL FFE

A1

F11

W1

L1

B2

A2

FL1

F10

W6

F8

LEVEL II

OPEN TO BELOW

CATEGORY 2 20,200 SF

CATEGORY 1 30,853 SF

LEVEL 2 FLOOR PLAN

LEVEL 2 FLOOR PLAN CAT 3

1/32"= 1'-0"

NOT TO SCALE

STUDIO VII