University of Tennessee Knoxville Student Success Center

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is embarking on a transformative project to enhance student success and academic excellence through the development of a new Student Success Center. This state-of-the-art facility will be strategically located adjacent to Hodges Library and Hess Hall along the Pedestrian Mall, placing it in one of the most vibrant and active areas on campus. The center is designed to be a hub for student interaction and collaboration, featuring modern learning spaces and classrooms that support both individual and group academic pursuits. It ultimately embodies a dynamic dialogue between the past and the future, tradition, and transformation.

The architectural vision for the Student Success Center emphasizes the creation of a dynamic, fully accessible, and inclusive environment. The 119,000 sq. ft. building will serve as a central gathering place for students and faculty, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. It will house a range of essential academic resources, including the Division of Student Success, Student Disability Services, Veterans Success Center, and various academic spaces such as classrooms and study areas. The design prioritizes flexibility and accessibility, ensuring that all students can fully engage with the services and spaces provided.

Situated at a unique campus crossroads, the building occupies a threshold between two worlds, acting as both a portal and a bridge for the community.  It channels movement in all directions—east to west, north to south—blurring the boundary between campus life and the urban environment.  Our unique architectural approach lifts parts of the structure, allowing for passage underneath and through the building.  By design, this fosters a sense of discovery, as students and visitors navigate through socially vibrant spaces that gradually transition into quieter, more focused environments as they ascend through the building.

The challenge was substantial: transforming an inaccessible site into a building that goes beyond ADA standards to become fully barrier-free. To achieve this, the interior is designed with terraced, interconnected levels connected by ramps, allowing seamless movement throughout. The ground level features multiple tiers that navigate the surrounding changes in elevation, creating a vibrant and interconnected space.

To align with UTK's goal of creating a cohesive campus experience, the Student Success Center will be seamlessly integrated into the surrounding environment. Its design will complement nearby landmarks like Hodges Library, the Clarence Brown Theater, and the new Carousel Theater. The center will also act as a connector, bridging the new Haslam College of Business and Student Union to the north with future developments, such as new residence halls and arts and humanities faculty buildings to the south. This thoughtful integration ensures the center will not only meet immediate needs but also contribute to UTK's long-term vision for a unified, forward-looking campus.

The building brings together a diverse group of students, each striving for their own success within a uniquely shared environment, creating a transformative experience.  In this sense, the interior spaces are designed with a sense of warmth and hospitality, akin to a living room where students can feel at home.   These spaces include adaptable classrooms, flexible event spaces, study centers and student lounges, as well as a comprehensive testing center for Student Disability Services. All are designed to foster learning while promoting a spirit of togetherness and collective engagement.

While the interior spaces serve a more focused, purposeful role, the exterior is designed to be inclusive and inviting. It offers a variety of spaces, each with its distinct character:

- The Lawn is a grassy knoll that provides a casual, informal gathering spot with raised vantage points and integrated seat walls.

- The Plaza is a hardscape where students and faculty pass through, eat lunch, study, meet friends, or engage in social activities.

- The Courtyard strikes a balance between the two, featuring terraced seating for outdoor classrooms and a grassy area for relaxation and informal learning.

The architecture reflects the university’s lasting commitment to academic excellence while embracing the evolving needs of its student body.  This idea is captured in the metaphor of the stone and the stream: the university serves as the steadfast stone, guiding and shaping the stream of students as they progress through their academic journeys. Over time, just as the stream gradually shapes the stone, the university is enriched and transformed by the experiences and contributions of its students.

The building's design embodies this dynamic relationship.  Grounded masonry volumes represent the university’s strong foundations, while fluid, contemporary elements clad in metal and glass evoke the continuous movement and discovery inherent in student life.  The architecture promotes easy and accessible passage, encouraging exploration, engagement, and a sense of belonging, all of which support academic growth.