Angarano Presents "Designing Spaces for the Whole Student" at SUNY/PPAA & NYAPPA Winter Conference
Syracuse University Schine Student Center
Conceptual Rendering: SUNY Polytechnic Campus Center Renovation
“Designing Spaces for the Whole Student” was an engaging and interactive session exploring the emerging and evolving needs of today’s students, the meaning of the “Whole Student,” and the role of stakeholder engagement in executing spaces to support these evolving needs. The session was presented by Susanne Angarano, Principal / Senior Interior Designer, at the 2023 SUNY/PPAA & NYAPPA Winter Conference on January 31, 2023 in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Looking at two case studies, the transformation of Syracuse University’s Schine Student Center and SUNY Polytechnic’s Campus Center renovation, the session reviewed the opportunities and methodologies for exploring and designing for the Whole Student. With diverse program needs and anticipated changing programs over time, these project examples provide a set of challenges that requires a process of deep program examination to unearth program, building, campus, and student essence, to craft a space that embraces and celebrates diverse needs, while connecting students cross-disciplinary and cross-life.
Susanne Angarano is a Principal / Senior Interior Designer at Ashley McGraw Architects. Her extensive experience includes a focus on higher education projects including a focus on learning environment strategy and design. Capturing intangible qualities in a tangible way is why she is an exceptional designer and facilitator, always seeking to dig deeper into culture and context, to uncover and realize project and stakeholder potential. Susanne’s understanding of how people learn and work allows her to create vibrant spaces that promote intense collaboration and innovation.
Learning objectives:
Explore trends in higher education for student resources and environments to support the whole student.
Examine opportunities for cross-disciplinary application of knowledge by creating safe zone for students to experience life.
Use processes of program deep dive to unearth synergies between varied and seemingly opposing programs.
Execute strategies to foster discovery and innovation on campus through space in a way that embraces the diverse and intellectual nature of the students.