Evans Hall Student Lounge, Yale School of Management
At the heart of a larger series of interventions designed by Apicella + Bunton is the new Evans Hall Student Lounge which thrives as both a haven and active hub for student life.
Responding to student feedback, this dynamic space was designed to encourage a variety of activities from large communal meals and viewing parties, to private study and relaxation. As such, the space is subdivided into a number of discrete components that form a harmonious whole.
The quiet study room is located behind a wood screen wall constructed of custom walnut slats creating a private zone for rest and quiet activities with limited connection to the main space. Above the wood slat canopy are adjustable, multi-color LED light fixtures that allow for a variety of light scenes in the space. Custom walnut lockers, fabric-wrapped acoustic paneling, and comfortable furnishings round out the space.
New furnishings were selected to harmonize with the building’s existing suite of furniture, including midcentury classics and a variety of contemporary pieces. Finishes were selected to be warm, inviting, and high-performance while respecting the clean-cut aesthetic of the building as a whole. Pops of color were introduced to enliven the space while referencing the vibrant Sol LeWitt mural installed just outside the lounge.
A large glass storefront was introduced to invite the use of the lounge, connect the activities of the previously-enclosed space to the courtyard beyond, and allow for borrowed daylight.
Photographs © Christopher Gardner