Building on the vision set out in the Master Plan, the East Coast Campus will foster collaboration, invention and creativity by integrating student facilities, housing and recreational buildings with mixed-use precincts connected through open spaces and plazas.
The layout of the buildings offers flexibility in programming of the spaces and provides an inter-connected layout of the various teaching spaces, moving away from the traditional silo approach of distinct schools and departments.
The design concept of the campus centre encourages collaboration and communication among faculty and students. It also serves as a multi-purpose space and provides a sense of identity to the campus.
The central plaza is the meeting point of the learning spine and the living spine of the campus.
The learning spine connects all the main academic and research buildings of the campus and is envisaged as a vibrant main street of the campus.
This main street will be lined with student activities and programs, retail and food & beverage outlets to create a vibrant learning street.
The emphasis of the Lindner Center programming is on the student-athlete. One entire floor of the building is devoted to the Nancy Hamant Academics Center, which contains study facilities for UC's 530 student-athletes, including over 80 computer stations.
A new athletics training center, equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment equipment, including three hydrotherapy pools, is included in the Lindner Center. The University Health Services for students has been relocated to the Lindner Center and provides expanded medical coverage conveniently located for UC student-athletes. An MRI diagnostic center is also part of the building.
Space for strength and conditioning training in the adjacent Fifth Third Arena has been doubled to 18,000 square feet and has been furnished with the latest in weight training equipment. A new 12,000-square foot practice gymnasium will ease the scheduling of workouts.
While the Lindner Center provides for the present and future of UC athletics, it also recognizes and celebrates the UC's proud past. The ground level of the five-story atrium features the George and Helen Smith Museum detailing the history of both the athletics program and the university. Sports histories are portrayed in graphic murals and on video screens. Terminals in the Jack Twyman Traditions Lounge enable former student-athletes and their families to look up photos and records of their participation. A five-story trophy case houses the Bearcats' championship memorabilia.
The unique building was designed by signature architect Bernard Tschumi. UC graduate Eva Maddox (DAAP 1966) orchestrated the design of the museum.
Landscaping has created a major walkway, O'Varsity Way, that leads visitors through the heart of Varsity Village. The Raymond D. Sheakley Lawn and Victory Plaza provide gathering and activities space for UC fans attending events.