Mori Hosseini Student Union – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Daytona Beach, USA

Aerial view of Student Union at campus entry drive illustrating graceful forms inspired by flight

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

Student Union sits at head of campus quadrangle

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

Eastern elevation

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

Western elevation at Legacy Walk

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

Aerial view from north

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

Four-story Great Lounge

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

Flight Deck Overlook with Great Lounge below

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

Great Lounge skylight above and amphitheater seating at levels 2 and 3

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

Dining Commons

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

University Library at top floor of Student Union

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

View from third floor gallery looking west

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

View from north look to Event Center entrance

Photo © Brad Feinknopf

Outdoor dining

Photo © ikon.5

Student Union Design Concept

Picture © ikon.5 architects

Site Plan

Drawing © ikon.5 architects

First Floor Plan

Drawing © ikon.5 architects

Second Floor Plan

Drawing © ikon.5 architects

Third Floor Plan

Drawing © ikon.5 architects

Fourth Floor Plan

Section through Quad

Sustainability Diagram

Architects: ikon.5 architects

Location: Daytona Beach, USA
Year: 2018
Client: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
MEP Engineer: OCI Engineers
Civil Engineer: Parker Mynchenberg & Associates
Landscape Architect: Prosser
General Contractor: Barton Malow Company

Inspired by the gracefulness of birds in flight, the student union building at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an expression of its mission to teach the science, practice and business of aviation and aerospace. Located at the front door to the campus, the building’s gently-soaring form expressing flight creates an iconic identity for the University and embodies its student’s values of fearlessness, adventure and discovery.

Internally, the student union building is an aeronautical athenaeum combining social learning spaces, events, dining and the University library. A soaring, triple-height commons anchors and integrates the collaborative social and learning interiors. Wrapping this space and open to it are lounges, dining venues, group study rooms, clubs and organizations, career services and the University library as well as an event center, creating a virtual “city within a city”. The 177,000-square-foot facility houses student lounge spaces, a dining commons and food court on the first floor. Also on the first floor is an events center that can accommodate up to 900 people and is divisible into six separate salons. The upper floors contain offices for student clubs and organizations, classrooms, computer labs and group study rooms. The top floor houses the University library which is set beneath a dynamic 200-foot arching skylight and opens the sky to the library. A roof terrace on the second floor allows students to gaze upon the adjacent runway of Daytona International Airport and beyond to rocket launches from Cape Canaveral.