The shape, massing, and appearance of campus buildings should generally determined by its context: what's around it, how it will be used, and similar considerations.  Each new building should make sense in the context of what's already there, and in most cases, should further master planning concepts.

 

The program and concept for this new academic building are derived from its location at the main entrance of the campus, where it will solve some long-standing issues with how the campus presents a public face to visitors and will house facilities complementary to the other buildings around the quadrangle: student union-type spaces, an auditorium, and related spaces in addition to academic facilities.