Ohio University Nelson Commons

Location:
Athens, Ohio

Architect:
Champlin Architecture

LEED Certification:
LEED Gold

Construction Cost:
$12 million

Project Size:
9,000 SF

Awards:
2013 Outstanding Design,
American School & University
Educational Interiors Show

Exterior photo of Nelson Commons at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. The building has a brick exterior.

This project, completed in two phases, involved the renovation of the dining and food service facilities housed within the building on the South Green. Additional skylights, a revised front entry, increased banquet space, and a new mezzanine for mechanical equipment are included in the project. The structural challenges included the expansion of the existing mechanical mezzanine within the attic space and removing two existing columns to provide unobstructed sightlines in the enlarged banquet room. Four roof trusses were modified in place without removing the existing roof to accomplish the column removal. The project also included the removal of two columns, a new entry with a ramp and steps, and a new loading dock.