With the opening of new housing facilities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Neihardt Center officially closed its doors to student housing in 2019. After nine decades of operation, the facility transitioned to a temporary swing space for the campus. The university wanted to address outdated building conditions by reimagining the iconic structure, creating a modern environment that will serve the needs of students for the next century.
Our design transforms the existing housing complex into a space that centralizes student support resources on campus. Consisting of several connected buildings and located along a main student circulation path, the Neihardt Center serves as a prime location for student support resources including community building, engagement, recruiting/retention, and student well-being.
The 104,000-SF renovation, funded through deferred maintenance budgets, focuses on core building systems that will improve the indoor environment, be a sustainable backbone for future tenant fit out, address critical ADA entry and circulation, and life safety deficiencies of the existing building. The renovation includes a mix of spaces for individual work, small groups, and large gatherings, accommodating a wide range of university offices and student functions. Additionally, the transformed indoor environment and its unique interior courtyard will seamlessly connect students to their natural surroundings. DLR Group is providing architecture, interiors, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering, high performance design, and IT services.
