Franklin & Marshall College - Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center

When deciding upon a college or university, a student’s first impression of campus matters. Students take less than 12 minutes to decide if a college is a good fit during an initial tour of campus. It’s no wonder why making a strong first impression was a driving force behind Franklin & Marshall College creating a new Welcome Center on its 200+ year-old campus.

The existing College Square building, the gateway to the Franklin & Marshall campus, was reimagined into the Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center. The Lombardos, Lancaster area natives, made the Welcome Center a reality through a generous gift to the College.

The Welcome Center houses the College’s Finance & Administration Division, Admission and Financial Aid offices, the Office for College Advancement, and Alumni Relations. In addition to the College’s enrollment, finance and administration offices, the Welcome Center contains Franklin & Marshall’s Student Wellness Center. The Student Wellness Center provides accessible medical and mental health services to support students’ academic and general well-being.

The Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center is the front door of Franklin & Marshall and the first stop for prospective students and their families arriving at the College for the first time, returning alumni, and visitors to campus.

Project Highlights

Client:
Franklin & Marshall College

Location:
Lancaster, PA

Services:
Architecture

Interior Design

Space Programming

Type:
Welcome Center

Adaptive Reuse

Renovations

Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center

Adaptive Reuse

The existing College Square building prior to renovations

The new Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center at Franklin & Marshall College

Design for All

Flexible Space for Multiple Needs

In addition to a large experience center and gathering lounge, the ground floor space includes offices, meeting rooms, and a presentation room that is the starting point for campus walking tours.

A technology wall and numerous College artifacts showcased in display cases put Franklin & Marshall’s history and mission in front of students and visitors. Presentations to large groups as well as one-on-one interviews and small group meetings are easily executed thanks to technology integrated throughout the building.

Intentional Design

Creating a Welcoming Space

Franklin & Marshall’s branding is prominently featured on a custom-perforated metal panel in the College’s Diplomat blue that wraps around the building.

The panel adds a modern accent to the brick building and features the College’s ampersand logo. The varying sizes of the perforations were designed to help provide sun control for the interior spaces.

Designers introduced biophilic elements to the Welcome Center including large windows in the meeting rooms and natural finish materials such as wood wall panels. An outdoor patio space, created where a former loading dock once existed, provides a seating area for students and visitors to enjoy during warmer weather.

The design process made space flexibility a priority. The furnishings allow the interiors to adapt and comfortably accommodate small and large groups. Along with ample, convenient parking and improvements made for accessibility, these features make the building a welcoming hub for hosting student events, alumni gatherings or other campus meetings.