Sacred Heart University McMahon Student Commons
Fairfield, CT
A stunning atrium unifies this open, contemporary space, defining it as a crossroads for active learning to meet today's new business challenges
Sacred Heart University Martire Business & Communications Center
Sasaki designed the new building housing the John F. Welch College of Business and rapidly growing Department of Communications & Media Studies
Housing both the John F. Welch College of Business and the Department of Communications and Media Studies programs, the Martire Center is a dynamic multi-disciplinary nexus located on a gateway site at the campus’s northern edge.
The unique building program combines contemporary learning spaces for business and communications, including an active trading floor; case study classrooms; interactive labs; multimedia classrooms; two large studios for television, video and film production; industry-standard post-production facilities and screening venues; a multi-media forum for leadership institutes, lectures and screenings; conference rooms and lounges for meetings between faculty and students; student success center; food service and dining area; and faculty offices. The building houses The Executive Leadership Institute, which gathers national and international speakers to address the contemporary issues confronting business and education.
The lower entry court at north entrance is defined by bold architectural forms
The two schools share state-of-the-art facilities boasting technology-rich features like a trading floor replete with Bloomberg terminals, screening rooms, conference rooms, “smart” classrooms, design labs, and sound and film studios
The unique forum space can be seen from outside through the transparent glazing
Reflective water feature integrated with sculptural art
The forum serves as a beacon welcoming visitors to campus
A two-story atrium unites the program elements and serves as a crossroads of social and intellectual activity. Within the atrium, a café and loose furniture encourage a friendly, collaborative atmosphere. A grand staircase anchoring the north end of the atrium serves also as additional seating. Areas for group study and active circulation surround the atrium, spanning and connecting both levels. The atrium also ties together the main entry court and the lower entry court. The main entry court includes a reflective water feature integrated with sculptural art. Seat walls in the landscape, shaded by trees, offer informal areas for gathering. The lower entry court provides a pedestrian connection to the campus to the south, and creates an iconic view of the archway for those approaching from campus. The lower entry court, the courtyard, and the main entry court at Park Avenue are all tied together by a series of sculptural trees.
A long central atrium runs the length of the new Frank and Marisa Martire Business & Communications Center
A grand staircase serves also as additional seating
Meeting spaces, both enclosed and open, abound
Within the atrium, a café and loose furniture encourage a friendly, collaborative atmosphere
Upper floor open seating invite students to convene between classes
Technology-rich classrooms support the leading-edge curriculum at the intersection of business and communications
Material and lighting choices work together to create a contemporary and warm space that invites students to linger
A grand staircase serves also as additional seating
Meeting spaces, both enclosed and open, abound
Within the atrium, a café and loose furniture encourage a friendly, collaborative atmosphere
Upper floor open seating invite students to convene between classes
Technology-rich classrooms support the leading-edge curriculum at the intersection of business and communications
Material and lighting choices work together to create a contemporary and warm space that invites students to linger
The Martire Center’s state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces are complemented by an outdoor classroom at the edge of the multi-purpose ceremonial entry court
The Martire Center balances traditional and contemporary, both in its architectural expression and approach to learning. The Center is the starting point of a network of buildings and open space that includes the Great Green, the Chapel, and the Linda E. McMahon Commons—each also designed by Sasaki and tied together by pedestrian paths leading diagonally through campus.
The Martire Center landscape acts as an iconic front door for the campus, announcing arrival and shepherding pedestrians from the highway right into the pedestrian core
For more information contact Vinicius Gorgati.
