Penn State University’s Shields Building renovation establishes a new “front door” experience for more than 100,000 annual visitors to the Student Services and Admissions building. The exiting structure was built in 1966 and needed a new public-facing lobby with a “one-stop” service center for the Bursar, University Registrar, and Office of Financial Aid. 

This remodel is concentrated on the first floor. Major changes were made to the main lobby, and adjacent office spaces were updated. The team’s approach is best described as a singular powerful gesture to open the main public zone through the center of the first floor, and create a unified, deeply branded service hub for students and visitors.