Modernizing a Student Services Center

Located within Capilano University’s library building, the interior renovation for Phase 2 of the Centre for Student Success creates an open, light-filled space housing new and relocated programming, centralized from six different locations on campus. The enhanced CSS co-locates student services around a new large study area, located near the existing First Nations Students center and Students’ Union space.

The new CSS unifies student services into a single space, allowing new and returning students to receive administrative, registrar, mentoring and career counselling services without confusion or running all over campus. Combining the departments is also a benefit to staff, who will now be able to collaborate more closely and focus on what matters most: delivering quality service to students and encouraging their success.

Our process included stakeholder engagement sessions to understand the vision for the space, and build upon previously established conceptual work. Having recently undergone an accessibility audit, it was incumbent on the design team to undertake additional measures to ensure the space is appropriate for all people, including new gender-neutral washrooms and accessible height casework throughout.