Intuitive Updates

The best renovations should give the impression that they were always there. Users should know immediately where to enter and exit, and like services should be grouped together for maximum productivity. Overall, the floor plan should feel natural, even intuitive. Achieving this could mean a complete reconfiguration of the existing floor plan leading into an addition. Or it might simply require a unique architectural detail such as a gabled roof.

When people enter Atwood Memorial Center at St. Cloud State University, however, spaces like the information desk and other student services should be immediately clear. This was accomplished in a recent addition and renovation that eliminated the circuitous routes created by several renovations since the 1960s. By incorporating a new front entrance and reorganizing the main floor into two “streets” running east/west and north/south, students have easy access to services, student organizations, and retailers.

“It didn’t cost more to reorganize the interior, but the benefit of improved, understandable circulation for the university and students is tremendous,” explains David Leapaldt.