Student-Focused Building to Become Campus’ New ‘Front Door’

Yesterday, the University of Dallas officially broke ground on a $15 million student services and administration building that will become the campus’ new “front door.” The new student-focused building is the university’s most recent capital project and is part of a greater institutional effort to transform the Irving campus. Construction is expected to be complete in early 2018.

“The University of Notre Dame has the Main Building with its famous golden dome. Harvard has Memorial Hall just off Harvard Yard,” said University of Dallas President Thomas W. Keefe. “Each great campus has an iconic building that holds special significance to all who pass through its gates. Our student services and administration building will immediately serve as our campus’ new front door and one day widely symbolize all that is the University of Dallas.”

Those speaking at the event were Diocese of Dallas Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly, President Keefe, Board of Trustees Chairman Joseph Murphy, Student Government President Karmina Martinez Ruiz and Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne.

“I wish to assist in seeing this institution flourish,” said Ruiz. “This groundbreaking is monumental for the University of Dallas community because it shows in a tangible way that we’re consciously and deliberately improving ourselves to support current and future students.”

‭Distinctive outdoor terraced common areas and towering glass entryways will make the three-story, 38,409-square-foot building a welcoming gathering spot and focal point for students, faculty, alumni and guests alike. Once completed, the state-of-the-art building’s three uniquely designed classrooms will offer students enhanced educational experiences; first-floor “storefronts” will create a “Main Street” of sorts that will provide easy, one-stop access to ‭financial aid, registration, student accounts and student employment ‭services.

The building, constructed primarily of brick, zinc panels and glass, will complement the architectural style of the university’s existing buildings and landscape. Twelve thousand square feet of patio and terrace space and a two-story pergola running along the entire length of two sides of the building will help integrate indoor and outdoor environments and will create an abundance of natural light inside.

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards will be applied with the goal of achieving LEED Silver certification; LEED is a set of rating systems of green buildings as outlined by the United States Green Building Council. Design, construction, operation and maintenance will support the university’s commitment to energy efficiency, water conservation and green architecture.

The facility was designed by Perkins+Will, a national leader in higher education architecture, who also designed the university’s SB Hall; the building is being constructed by Hill & Wilkinson, a Texas building contractor based in Dallas.

For further information about the new student services and administration building, please visit udallas.edu/icon. 

Irving Community Television Network interviewed President Keefe, Mayor Duyne and Ruiz during the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday: