Cornell University Center for Business Education

Located one block from the main campus, in the Collegetown section of Ithaca, New York; the Cornell University Center for Business Education is an integrated twenty-first century, 76,000 square foot, teaching and learning environment. Technology-rich interactive classrooms are supported by team rooms, faculty and student offices, as well as, a multi-story business commons. A dynamic sculptural stair occupies a portion of the commons and serves as an iconic social communicator linking the building’s program between floors.

The heart of the project is the four-story atrium, lined by wood walls and ceiling to provide a warm, inviting environment for students. Carefully applied lighting further enhances the warm glow of the atrium, with concealed cove lights and slender, minimal pendants highlighting the walls and ceiling respectively. Softly glowing linear lights and direct/indirect pendants further support the circulation and task lighting requirements.