Marquette University – Workshop Architects

Marquette University
The Commons Student Housing and Dining Hall
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Home Away from Home

The newest addition to Marquette’s residential offerings, The Commons, is designed and programmed to embrace the lifestyle of the modern student while providing a welcoming and comfortable first “home away from home” for Marquette undergrads.

The two residential towers are joined by a grand dining hall and shared community spaces complete with fireplace lounges, study areas, multi-purpose spaces, a theater stair, and chapel.

The building surrounds an outdoor courtyard to the south, forming a safe and active space for students to mingle and socialize. The curving glass storefront and 20’+ ceilings within the food hall offer dynamic views to the courtyard.

In partnership with Design Collective

A BUILDING-SIZED HUG

The building surrounds an outdoor courtyard, forming a safe and active space for students to mingle and socialize.

GRAND STAIRCASE AND THEATER

STUDENT LOUNGES

DINING HALL

ALL-INCLUSIVE

As designers who are committed to inclusive design by working with our clients, we believe that the work of creating community begins during the earliest planning of a project by inviting the widest possible amount of input to needs and concerns.

Community is a value that is embodied in physical places as well as in the minds and hearts of the people who occupy them.

Community is also a practice. It is nurtured and sustained through the patterns, rituals, and routines of daily life.

ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHICS

GO FORTH

Marquette University built their first residence hall in 50 years and they wanted to make this experience truly memorable. Workshop was asked to create an environmental branding program that included a donor wall, narrative displays and brand statements. The challenge was communicating the faith-based brand message in a manner that was inclusive of all faiths.

To tie these disparate elements, we created a pattern system based on the Jesuit quote “Go Forth and Set the World On Fire.” This quote, about spreading goodwill and faith, is represented by the single graphic element that combines into three icons representing the Holy Trinity, from there a graphic pattern seen throughout the space.

201 E Pittsburgh Avenue, Suite 301
Milwaukee, WI 53204

Call us 414.272.8822