Since its opening in 1999, Alfred Lerner Hall has been a cornerstone of student life at Columbia University, serving both undergraduate and graduate students. This versatile student center accommodates a wide range of activities, from dining and socializing to campus business and diverse student events, with its mix of open and enclosed spaces. The facility continually adapts to meet the evolving needs of the student community.

Identifying a need for additional social and performance spaces on campus, Columbia University selected Jack L. Gordon Architects to transform an underutilized basement-level space and mezzanine in the Alfred Lerner Hall student center into a 4,932 SF venue to support a variety of artistic disciplines including stage based performances such as jazz concerts, piano recitals, and poetry readings as well as group-based artistic activities and social gatherings.

The design team was challenged to create a performance space that students could relate to. The finalized design locates the stage in the 2-story high space & wraps the stair around the back of the stage and as a result, students entering the lower level performance space from behind the stage, it becomes part of the pre-performance experience. In this carefully coordinated interior, every detail contributes to the overall effect. Perforated metal panel with color-changing LED backlighting adds a dynamic element to the space and can be calibrated for specific performances. The installation of acoustic wall panels and micro perforated wood ceiling provide excellent acoustics for the various types of performances. The Wang Pavilion is now ready to greet undergraduates eager to explore new adventures in the arts.