Joseph A. Steger Student Life Center, University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners

Moore Ruble Yudell and Glaserworks insert a long, dynamic structure into a tight site, binding a campus and community together

© Alan Karchmer/Esto

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By Jayne Merkel

For more than a decade, the University of Cincinnati has endeavored to create a campus fit for full-time students at what was once mostly a commuter college. Now, tucked into the heart of the school’s academic campus, the Joseph A. Steger Student Life Center establishes connections via enclosed pedestrian paths, arcades, passageways, and terraced gardens. The architects embraced a difficult site stylishly, bringing a rugged, up-to-date urbanity with a West Coast flavor to the Midwest by overlapping interior and exterior spaces, employing lots of natural light, and boldly juxtaposing brick, metal, and concrete surfaces.

The Steger Center curves outward toward the campus green and the football stadium as it snakes down a 55-foot grade. On that expansive south side, a ground-floor loggia opens onto stepped outdoor seating. Inside, the rugged indoor/outdoor atmosphere is maintained as exposed concrete columns parade down narrow corridors with cozy window seats overlooking the action on campus. Since the building is only 40 feet wide, offices and student services occupy only the north side of the upper floors, where they overlook terraced gardens opening onto a ground-level art gallery, sandwich shop, and computer store.

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Formal name of Project:
Joseph A. Steger Student Life Center, University of Cincinnati

Location:
Cincinnati

Gross square footage:
85,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$21 Million

Owner:
University of Cincinnati www.uc.edu

Architect:
Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners
933 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
tel.310.450.1400
fax.310.450.1403
info@mryarchitects.com
www.moorerubleyudell.com