UNC Chapel Hill Development Office

Faced with an expected increase in staffing, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sought to renovate its Development Office, a hub for fundraising and donor research. SMMA was hired to provide architectural and interior design services for the four-story, 22,000-square-foot project, which includes provisions for additional development office staff, new systems furniture, upgraded mechanical and electrical equipment, and accessibility upgrades.

The design uses workplace strategies that foster collaboration, mobility, and flexibility as the department’s staff grows. The renovation was completed under the requirements of Senate Bill 668 and the full State Construction Office administrative process. 

UNC Chapel Hill has a strong tradition of private giving.

The Development Office supports the University’s advancement by providing such services as gift processing, donor research, planned giving support, communications, and events.  

At the outset of the project, the Vice Chancellor for University Development shared UNC’s aspirations for the space: “Our primary goal is not to squeeze as many people in this building as possible, but rather to create a functional, energetic, and fun atmosphere that promotes collaboration and enhances recruitment.” 

SMMA’s design meets this vision by inverting the Development office’s old workplace organization. The new design embraces collaboration, flexibility, forward-thinking office practices, and technology.

The design maximizes the amount of natural light entering the space.

The design team reduced the number of walled offices and moved them from the perimeter of the building to the center, allowing light to penetrate deeper into the space. Open, low-profile workstations near the windows further increases the natural light on each level while promoting collaboration and flexibility.

To create an energetic atmosphere, the design lends a different identity to the reception area, café, and conference rooms.

These areas break from the typical grid of the existing building. The new grid makes the spaces easily recognizable from floor to floor, and creates  pockets of space that can be used for informal meetings and collaboration. 

The final piece of the design puzzle centered on bringing the University’s identity to the forefront. The finishes chosen throughout the building reflect subtle connections to the University colors and significant University symbols, reinforcing the idea of an uninterrupted branding thread running throughout.

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