BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group and Rockwell Group have completed the Bloomberg Student Center at Johns Hopkins University, a four-story building that serves as a hub for student life. The 150,000-square-foot facility features 29 “pavilion”-like volumes, each topped with photovoltaic panels, and offers a range of programs, including dining options, performance spaces, and study areas.
The building’s design was informed by input from over 1,500 students, who emphasized the need for spaces that support creative ventures, health and wellness activities, and connection to nature. The exterior is covered in glass panels with a delicate frit pattern, while the interior features acoustic dowel-laminated timber ceilings, beams, and columns.
“The Center is a cascading, four seasons meeting space solely for students to pursue social, creative, and other non-academic activities,” said Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of BIG. David Rockwell, founder and president of Rockwell Group, added, “We were inspired by the building’s timber structure and column grid to organize a dynamic interior where natural materials, warm tones, and layered lighting create a sense of cohesion across a lot of different programmatic areas.”
The building’s design and layout are intended to foster a sense of community, with flexible spaces for students to gather, study, and engage in various activities. The project team included Shepley Bulfinch as executive architect and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates as landscape architect.
Image Courtesy: The Architect’s Newspaper
