SLU Center for Global Citizenship earns award for Innovation in Education

Good design should always lead to a great user experience.  This is the end result of the Center for Global Citizenship (CGC) project at Saint Louis University (SLU). The University and the CGC were recently recognized by the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) for the Innovation Award in Internationalization.  The award highlights exceptional programs, projects or initiatives aimed at advancing internationalization.  The important element of the award is focusing on programs that can serve as models for other institutions.  As Fox Architects worked with SLU in the programming process, certain design elements that were incorporated into the space are direct contributors to the end result.

Two areas that stand out as a part of SLU’s recognition award are the Development of the Center for Global Citizenship and the Establishment of the SLU Association for International Debate (SAID) Program.

Development of the Center for Global Citizenship: The centers mission was to create a space that would promote collaboration across the university and to educate and engage the SLU community in global awareness, responsibility and participation.  Working with Fox Architects through a constant series of client collaboration, SLU was able to adapt the 87-year old Gymnasium into a space that nurtures engagement and collaboration between cultures and the community.

Design ideas that were integral to this mission: Engaging with Surrounding, Good Food, Location, Multiplicity of Spaces, Human Relationship, Informal Gathering.

Establishment of the SAID program: This interactive debate program that brings together universities from all over the world in active debate related discussions has created a rich collaborative environment.  The debate program utilizes the technology built into the space to debate in real-time to universities located all over the world. The SAID program continues to grow and has developed into a collaborative organization that has increased the awareness of the center, while enriching the SLU community.

Design ideas that were integral to this mission: Creating Spaces that Foster Collaboration and Discussion, Technology Integration.

Visit our project section for more information. More information on the Award can be found here and on SLU’s website.