Baptist Campus Ministry Center at Vanderbilt Place

Project Statement

Originally built in 1964, the building served decades of students as a place for social, academic, and spiritual interface. When Vanderbilt removed the alleyway behind the building to create a pedestrian greenway, increased student traffic transformed the ‘backside’ of the building into an important access point. This inspired the reorientation of the building to connect north and south entrances and facilitate movement through the building.

Embracing the site slope, the building divides internal functions into two distinct levels. It was important to BCM staff to create a positive and equitable environment by facilitating the flow of students within the building with a transition other than the original stair. The expansive ramp needed to accommodate the change between levels led the team to embrace the ramp as a spatial and functional element. It became its own opportunity to sit, study or gather. By removing walls enclosing centralized toilets, the continuous arched structure was exposed creating visual and physical connectivity.

From the streetside, the comfortably scaled living room-like space was updated with new finishes and furniture while maintaining the original fireplace and curved stone wall. In the gathering space, new lighting, flooring, and interior finishes provide a revitalized space while respecting the original character. The former student assistant apartment was reconfigured as the new north entrance, reception area and accessible toilet rooms. Care was taken to select lighting and materials which were consistent with and complimented the original design while updating for current energy codes and environmental concerns.

Framework for Design Excellence Narrative

Design for Equitable Communities - The campus ministry provides amenities for in-person group events, fostering robust community connectivity and welcoming all students regardless of their affiliation with the ministry.

Design for Economy - The scope of renovation to a cherished building was tightly focused to preserve the historic character while maximizing the most impactful social and functional improvements. The design of the largest space, the multipurpose area, was vital for the community and capable of serving several functions with a simple reconfiguration of furniture. This strategy negated the need for constructing multiple single-purpose areas.

Design for Resources - The existing building is structurally sound and contains a sufficient area for its program, thus a renovation maximizes the lifespan of embodied energy and efforts which were previously committed. The preservation and careful planning around the generous perimeter clerestories provided most spaces with enough shaded daylight to reduce power demands of artificial lighting. The updated materials center on natural products such as renewably sourced oak and bamboo, complimenting the existing historic features including a timber structure and stone fireplace.