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.

Accordingly, Jack L. Gordon Architects was commissioned to create the Walter and Shirley Wang Pavilion – a dedicated undergraduate facility focused on the arts – by incorporating two existing volumes, Room B60, an assembly space containing a DJ booth, underused bar, and adjoining restrooms, and Room 107, a balcony overlooking B60.

Jack L. Gordon Architects completely transformed the 4,932 sq. ft., two-story space to support a variety of artistic disciplines and formats, including stage-based performances for audiences, group-based artistic activities, and formal gatherings. To make the facility possible, the new architectural scheme resolved such existing obstacles as limited ceiling height, an inconveniently located stair, and inadequate acoustics and lighting. As a result, the Wang Pavilion can now be configured for rowed seating, standing room, banquet setups, recitals, classroom tables, and conference tables.

Students entering the Wang Pavilion find themselves in a bold, dynamic and contemporary environment where the new stair discreetly flanks the new stage in the double-height section of the lower level. In this carefully coordinated interior, every detail contributes to the overall effect. Perforated metal panels with color-changing LED backlighting add a dynamic element to the intimate lighting design, three-dimensional acoustical wall panels and microperforated wood ceilings enhance the acoustics and give the space its bold, sculptural form, and a redesigned bar and its surrounding area have emerged as a stylish entertainment venue. As a result, the Wang Pavilion is ready to greet undergraduates eager to explore new adventures in the arts.