DERBY HALL, LOCATED AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, CURRENTLY HOUSES THE DEPARTMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE ALONG WITH ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES. STUDENTS, PROFESSORS, AND STAFF FREQUENT THE BUILDING FOR CLASSES, ADVISING, AND RESEARCH, BUT ITS CENTRAL COURTYARD AND ADJACENT SPACES REMAINED UNDERUTILIZED. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT WAS TO TRANSFORM THESE AREAS INTO VIBRANT THIRD SPACES THAT ENHANCE COMFORT, WAYFINDING, AND CONNECTION TO NATURE WHILE REFLECTING CAMPUS IDENTITY.

THE LOBBY INTRODUCED INDIVIDUAL WORKSPACES, BIOPHILIC ELEMENTS, AND A CENTRAL WATER FEATURE TO CREATE A MORE INVITING ATMOSPHERE. STRATEGIC LIGHTING AND DISTINCT FLOORING MATERIALS IMPROVED WAYFINDING, WHILE THE ADJACENT ROOMS WERE REIMAGINED AS RES-MERCIAL THIRD SPACES WITH FLEXIBLE SEATING TO SUPPORT BOTH COLLABORATIVE AND INDIVIDUAL WORK.

THE COURTYARD, PREVIOUSLY UNDERUSED, BECAME THE CENTERPIECE OF THE DESIGN. A TWO-STORY CAFÉ, SOCIAL STAIRS, AND FEATURES INSPIRED BY THE ICONIC “BLOCK O” CREATED A DESTINATION FOR GATHERING, STUDYING, AND RELAXATION. THIS REDESIGN PRIORITIZED COMFORT, ACCESSIBILITY, AND COMMUNITY, TURNING DERBY HALL INTO A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS LEARNING AND FOSTERS A SENSE OF BELONGING ON CAMPUS.