October 10, 2014

ikon.5 architects wins competition for new student union building at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Princeton, New Jersey-based design studio, ikon.5 architects, has bested global design practices HKS architects and Leo Daly and Associates, winning a competition to design a new student union building at Embry-Riddle, a top aeronautical engineering university in the United States headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. The firm was one of ten design practices invited to participate in the competition and one of three shortlisted for the project.

In soliciting design proposals for the building, Embry-Riddle described the project as “The most significant addition to its campus since it was built.” To be located on a prominent site on axis with the entrance to the campus, the building is expected to be a modern icon for the University that will attract students to its ranks and offer a collaborative environment that will foster new ways of learning and working while spurring innovation.

The building is envisioned to be ‘The center of campus life’. It will house a mix of functions including dining venues, meeting/gathering and collaboration rooms, a multipurpose events center, offices for student affairs, admissions, career services and student organizations, a bookstore, theatre and library. Preliminary plans call for a multi-storied building of around 240,000 square feet.

Design work on the project is expected to commence in the fall with an estimated completion slated for 2016.

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace. Called the “Harvard of the Sky” by Time magazine, Embry Riddle has campuses in Daytona Beach Florida and Prescott, Arizona and offers worldwide educational programs in the Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering and Security & Intelligence at over 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, . The University is a major research center and innovation hub seeking solutions to real-world problems with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies.

About ikon.5 architects

ikon.5 architects is a nationally recognized design practice with projects located in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southern United States. In 2013 the practice was ranked “4th in Design” by Architect magazine. Founded in 2003 by Principals Joseph G. Tattoni, AIA, Arvind Tikku, AIA and Charlie Maira, AIA, ikon.5 has more than 50 design awards to its credit, including three international awards earned in 2014; an Architzer A+ Award in the cultural buildings category for best art gallery for the McGee Arts Pavilion at the New York State College of Arts and Design, Architectural Lighting magazine’s “Light & Architecture Award” for the Schindler Elevator U.S Headquarters, and an International Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design for the Monmouth Battlefield State Park and Visitor Center.