Hollister Hall Renovation

Cornell Engineering Communications

The Cornell Engineering Communications program (ECP) supports undergraduate engineering students at Cornell to become skilled communicators across a variety of modes of communication ranging from presentations to lab reports. The ECP trains students to effectively express their ideas through courses, workshops, and other means of interaction with faculty and staff.

ECP offices are currently used for research, hosting student consultations, and helping prepare students for classes. Group meetings often take place within the offices, and there are typically 2-4 people present for meetings at a time. Staff members also have their own offices at home, so the Hollister Hall offices mainly provide a place for staff to teach and meet with students.

After visiting the site and communicating with staff about the space, we have determined the following to be the key needs to address in redesigning the space:

The Image of Engineering

In our culture, engineering students are stereotyped as tired and overloaded with work, and engineering is often perceived to be a very technical field. However, engineering is incredibly creative and requires innovative thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective communication.

The current design and aesthetics of the CEP offices, however, do not reflect the creative and collaborative nature of its work. Our proposed renovation guidelines will help the CEP offices to promote the idea of playful and creative learning for engineers. Current

Design Recommendations

Ergonomic Furniture Round Tables White Board Wall

Ergonomic chairs and standing desks support staff comfort.

Circle and oval tables provide more flexibility for where people can sit and reduce injuries due to pointed corners.

A white board wall provides room for students and staff to freely ideate and problem solve together.

Monitor / Projection Platform Lake Source Cooling Energetic Colors

A monitor allows users to view and discuss presentations and documents on a larger screen.

Alternative: hand-held projector

Lake Source Cooling is sustainable and maximizes space in the room by removing air conditioning units.

Bright colors can create a more energetic learning atmosphere and enhance the mood of users.

Additional Considerations

New Staff Office ADA Accessibility

In the case that the Cornell Engineering Communications Program hires one more staff member, we suggest expanding Room 461 which is currently being used as a storage room.

Document A104 shows the new wall that would be created between Room 461 and Room 463.

The entrance to the storage room is a few inches under ADA standards. While the doors to the other offices satisfy ADA standards, it would be valuable consider making wider entrances for greater user friendliness beyond standard satisfaction.

Room 425 | The white board wall located in every room allows for collaborative brainstorming and ideation.

Room 463 | Staff are provided an adjustable standing desk while students can gather around a circular table to discuss their work.

Room 465 | With a monitor or hand-held projector, projects and documents can be presented and shared for feedback and review.

Room 467 | With lake source cooling air conditioners are removed so space is maximized and windows are not blocked.