adjaye, SHoP, and snøhetta on shortlist for veterans resource complex at syracuse university

adjaye, SHoP, and snøhetta on shortlist for veterans resource complex at syracuse university
all images courtesy of syracuse university

syracuse university has announced three finalists in a competition to design the ‘national veterans resource complex (NVRC)’, a major building to be sited on its new york campus. the new multi-use facility will serve as the home of the university’s ‘institute for veterans and military families’. the NVRC will offer state-of-the-art vocational and educational programs designed to advance the economic success of both the region’s and the nation’s veterans and military personnel. after reviewing the credentials of 28 global firms, the three chosen finalists are adjaye associates, SHoP architects, and snøhetta. each of the selected practices is also among the seven finalists currently vying for the opportunity to design the obama presidential library in chicago.

the building is planned for the western portion of the campus’ waverly block

tentatively planned for the western portion of the waverly block on the syracuse university campus, the NVRC will house: the syracuse university and regional student veteran resource center; the army reserve officer training corps; the air force reserve officer training corps; U.S. department of veterans affairs ‘vet-success on campus’; the national center of excellence for veteran business ownership; veteran business outreach center and accelerator; and syracuse university’s office of veteran and military affairs.

the building will include classroom space to accommodate local and national veteran-focused programming, along with a conference center and a 1,000-seat auditorium suitable for community activities, lectures, and national events and conferences. designed as a LEED-certified facility and constructed in accordance with universal design practices, the NVRC will be an inclusive facility that welcomes and accommodates veterans and visitors with disabilities.

the winning firm will be announced in may 2016

‘syracuse university’s ambition to make the NVRC a combined educational and community center, as well as a national hub for america’s 22.8 million veterans and their families, resonates deeply with my own commitment to architecture that empowers communities and has global resonance,’ commented david adjaye. ‘this is also an opportunity to enhance the context and future vision for the surrounding area — setting the highest precedent for subsequent development.’

‘the NVRC at syracuse university will occupy a special place in the life of the city, the campus, and the community of veterans nationwide it is intended to serve,’ explained SHoP principal william sharples. ‘everyone at SHoP is honored to be a part of this process.’

craig dykers, founding partner of snøhetta added: ‘the poet RJ heller once wrote, ‘in the aftermath we are because they were.’ courage is contagious and being a part of this process at syracuse to benefit our veterans in a groundbreaking new facility is exciting and humbling for all of us at snøhetta. this is more than a handshake: we are doing something revolutionary for those whose origins are from the same stuff.’

as part of the design competition process, the selected firms will collaborate with the school of architecture to present lectures to the campus community. these talks are scheduled to take place in march 2016, and will be open to the general public. representatives from the selected firms will now travel to the university to view the site and speak with members of the school. the firms will then return to new york in april to present their final proposals to the selection committee, with the winning practice announced in may 2016.