Harvey Mudd College is a dynamic place, a constantly changing mix of students, faculty, visitors, research projects and information. The architecture of the Shanahan Center showcases this activity, and its form, space and surfaces seek to reflect this vibranthub. Intended to be the crossroads for academic and social endeavors, it is important that the Shanahan Center be open to receive all audiences from multiple sides of the building. Boora designed the building around a central courtyard, around which orbit classrooms and social spaces. This organization also allows light, views and activity from the courtyard to be borrowed by adjacent spaces.

The ground level of the building is open to the north and south to invite active use of the courtyard. External circulation on upper levels provides dynamic views across the open space to individual and group work sessions and informal gatherings. Extensive glazing in the building extends this sense of permeability and connection, with faculty offices, the office of the President, classrooms, conference areas and a 300-person lecture hall enjoying views across the building and out to the surrounding campus.

To promote interaction between various members of the HMC community, small benches and nooks along the circulation paths provide space for students to wait before class begins. Breakout rooms offer opportunities to continue a conversation after class, and writing surfaces abound on exterior and interior walls. The faculty clusters contain huddle spaces to facilitate casual meetings with students and colleagues. Taking advantage of the temperate climate of Southern California, the building circulation is primarily exterior. This strategy maximizes daylight and natural ventilation for most of the interior spaces and provides covered areas for outdoor activities to take place.