Tour Ohio Union
From communications closets to the instructional kitchen, take a behind-the-scenes tour of The Ohio State University’s new $118 million Ohio Union.
All 30 of the meeting spaces in the union, from the 17,500+ square foot Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom to small, intimate conference rooms, feature a state-of-the-art sound system, LCD projector and motorized screen. The US Bank Conference Theater (complete with green room and two dressing rooms) has Ethernet ports and power outlets at every chair and can be used for worldwide videoconferences or lectures. The Round Meeting Room, inspired by the Native American concept of kiva, features circular seating along the walls so all can be seen when speaking – and, its acoustics are perfect, so even a whisper can be heard. Video cameras in the seven-station instructional kitchen can link cooking demonstrations to television screens throughout the union.
After visiting nearly 40 different unions around the country, student leaders involved in the design of the new building insisted on a facility that honors Ohio State heritage. At nearly every turn you’ll find subtle cues to Buckeye Pride. Students also insisted on a “green” facility. As part of the union’s quest to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, monitors throughout the union replace student posters and fliers, and all vegetable cooking oil used in the dining areas is recycled into biodiesel fuel.
More details on the Ohio Union can be found online at http://oncampus.osu.edu/2010/03/ohio-union-top-to-bottom/