With the opening of new housing facilities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Neihardt Center officially closed its doors to student housing in 2019. After nine decades of operation, the facility transitioned to a temporary swing space for the campus. The university wanted to address outdated building conditions by reimagining the iconic structure, creating a modern environment that will serve the needs of students for the next century.
Our design transforms the existing housing complex into a space that centralizes student support resources on campus. Consisting of several connected buildings and located along a main student circulation path, the Neihardt Center serves as a prime location for student support resources including community building, engagement, recruiting/retention, and student well-being.
The 104,000-SF renovation, funded through deferred maintenance budgets, focuses on core building systems that will improve the indoor environment, be a sustainable backbone for future tenant fit out, address critical ADA entry and circulation, and life safety deficiencies of the existing building. The renovation includes a mix of spaces for individual work, small groups, and large gatherings, accommodating a wide range of university offices and student functions. Additionally, the transformed indoor environment and its unique interior courtyard will seamlessly connect students to their natural surroundings. º£½ÇÉçÇø is providing architecture, interiors, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering, high performance design, and IT services.