Client: Ohio University
Location: Athens, Ohio

Project:
The medical school staff needed a place of retreat and relaxation from their busy and stressful daily activities. Location in one of the schools original historical buildings, the exterior of this proposed addition needed to match the architectural elements exactly.

Details:
The biggest challenge initially was the siting of the addition. The building had been built in a former creek bed so the structure requirements required very deep driven cassions or piers to support the addition.

Internally the functional spaces had to: meet ADA regulations; provide fire and egress issues without compromising the design; offer a gallery kitchen where limited meals could be prepared on site; establish three distinct types of eating settings, booths, table and chairs, lounge seats; establish a stand-up conversational/encounters by the drink area.

The ceiling system was comprised of a variety of heights, and was accented by skylights, wall textures which were complimented by the floor textures incorporated. The overall atmosphere created by the design indeed met the client's vision of a relaxation spot adjacent to a hectic environment.