nku student union receives 2009 AIA Kentucky Merit Award

Northern Kentucky University's new Student Union designed by Omni Architects was selected to receive a 2009 Merit Award from AIA Kentucky in August. The 158,000 SF facility opened in July 2008 and has since become a major recruitment tool for the university, serving as a center for many campus activities and student services.

The Student Union was one of 36 entries reviewed by the Jury, who awarded one Honor Award, three Merit Awards, and one Citation. The jury was comprised of four representatives from three Seattle-based firms: Kirsten Murray, AIA and Les Eerkes, AIA, of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects; Rick Mohler, AIA of Adams Mohler Ghillino Architects, and Grace Kim, AIA, of Schemata Workshop.

Jury comments about the project called it "obviously well designed and executed throughout. The placement of the building on a major circulation path is used to great effect, both activating the building and giving form to the pedestrian's experience. The building looks beyond its own program and acts to shape and create new exterior spaces for the campus. Programmatic uses take advantage of the site's sloped topography. The building engages the site and activates campus spaces at multiple locations. Subtle shifts in massing, material articulation and sunlit circulation areas give the building interest and character. It is well organized without being static. The LED lit tower creates an interesting and interactive new icon for the campus."

The awards were presented at the Honor Awards Banquet on October 2, 2009 during the AIA Ohio Valley Region Convention held at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Omni Vice President Michael Jacobs and Northern Kentucky University Director of Campus Planning Mary Paula Schuh received the award on behalf of the design team. The design team included the following:

• Commonwealth of Kentucky Division of Engineering and Contract Administration - Owner and Project Manager
• Brailsford & Dunlavey - Student Center Planner
• Staggs & Fisher - MEP Engineer
• Senler Campbell & Associates - Structural Engineer
• Vivian Llambi & Associates - Site Designer
• Ricca Newmark Design - Food Service Consultant and Interior Designer
• Messer Construction - General Contractor