Marquette University - Memorial Student Union

This 180,000 sq. ft. building, designed, developed and built by Opus, is the centerpiece crossroad of activity for the entire Marquette University campus.

The main massing contains patterns of cascading octagonal forms and complex planar changes that have organized the floors to represent the large-scale public activities at the lowest levels, with subordinated, small-scale and private functions at the upper levels.

Level one contains fast food, a pub, student commons and lounges. Level two includes additional eating areas, the campus ministry, and a chapel. Level three features ballrooms, meeting rooms, multi-cultural and student life offices. Level four has more student life and club functions; and level five contains the presidents suite flanked by a formal dining room and the trustees meeting room.

The rich vocabulary of banded, multi-colored earthtone brick and granite, with bronze tinted glass, was chosen as the basic exterior building pallet because of its regional/historical familiarity, economy, and warmth of character.

The master landscaping plan harmonizes the new building complex within the context of the existing campus. Combining outdoor furniture, paving textures and plants with multiple plaza areas created at the crossroad provide more opportunity to socialize.

Marquette University, founded in 1881, is a private institution serving approximately 11,000 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.