Client: Ohio University
Location: Athens, Ohio

Project:
The firm was commissioned to design and produce a set of working documents for the medical school staff at Ohio University in order to provide them with a place of retreat and relaxation from their busy and sometimes quite stressful daily activities. This would only be the second major addition to one of the original campus buildings.

Details:
Functioning of this space had to be sensitive to ADA impending regulations. Fire egress issues were solved without compromising the design. The restroom was made unisex; a gallery kitchen serves to do minimal preparation of meals; the drink area was uniquely designed to allow for stand-up conversation/encounters; three types of eating, relaxing or conversational areas consisted of booths on exterior wall, adorned with windows in each, tables with chairs for four maximum, and chair and sofa "home-type corner."

Ceiling system was designed to have a variation in heights, adding to the variety of environment sought. In addition, variety of floor textures and colors gave the space a further multi-dimensional aspect. Wall coverings increased the unique atmosphere of the proposed to bring the natural light further into the depth of the area.

Given the genuine and creative environment on the interior, conversely the exterior had to be designed to copy the building's original detailing and brick composition. The addition had to look as if it was part of the original building. The support structure for this slab on grade was concrete cassions, as the existing building had been constructed on a former riverbed.