Wichita State University Shocker Hall Building ``A`` - Reception Desk Remodel
Client: Wichita State University
Location: 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS
Category: Religious & School Construction
Architect: Alloy Architecture
Year of Completion: 2022
The Wichita State University Shocker Hall is a state-of-the-art residence hall providing housing for over 800 first-year residents. The reception desk is a center hub to welcome the incoming guests as hundreds pass through to utilize the amenities the building has to offer. Snodgrass & Sons Construction began the project in June of 2022. A new desk with half inch full glass surround was exactly what was needed for the space, providing a functional and secure area for the staff.
The demolition includes removing a portion of the wall, existing reception desk structure, flooring, ceiling, gate, and column wrap. Once the demolition was complete, the planning of the placement of the new desk began.
The plan includes adding a new wall, soffit and column wrap. In order to match the adjacent smooth wall that was added, the texture of the existing walls were skim coated and painted.
A unique challenge to the project was consistently adjusting the measurements and ordering custom pieces as it was built, in order to provide an exact fit. The desk, the waterfall quartz countertop, desk-to-ceiling glass, and flooring measurements; all dependent on each trade to work together.
Cabinet Systems provided the millwork and Snodgrass installed. To ensure a cohesive design, the front of the desk features a warm walnut wood made to match the existing beamed ceiling, bringing the room together. LED lighting was added to brighten the room, provide workspace lighting, and front strip lights to enhance the showpiece, the front of the desk. The elegant Marfa waterfall quartz countertop provides a resilient surface for the staff and is a welcomed color contrast to the Kendall Charcoal gray walls and walnut finish.
The glass has multiple fixed panels and two sliding locations with an upper track to allow interaction between the staff and students. For a clean look, clear glass inserts were added between the glass panels. Inside, the countertop is affixed with steel supports, and built-in outlets and data ports. The added floor-to-ceiling cabinetry provides plenty of storage space, along with the desk built-ins.
Star Commercial Flooring installed the LVT tile and base, the tile was placed in a continuous pattern to match the visual pattern of the common space. In addition, a completely new acoustical tile ceiling with an improved HVAC (register) and sprinkler head completes the project.
