Student Center for Nepal Engineering College
A THESIS PROPOSAL
ON
“STUDENT CENTER”
SUBMITTED BY
NISHA CHAMLING
CRN: 014-218
SUBMITTED TO
ASST. PROF. ANIL KUMAR REGMI
ASST. PROF. RAM PRASAD SUWAL
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
NEPAL ENGINNERING COLLEGE
CHANGUNARAYAN, BHAKTAPUR
Nisha Chamling 014-218
Student Center for Nepal Engineering College
Contents
1 CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND STUDY..................................................3
1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................3
1.2 Statement of Problem.................................................................................................4
1.3 Objectives...................................................................................................................4
1.4 Significance................................................................................................................5
1.5 Scope and Limitation.................................................................................................6
1.6 Research Hypothesis..................................................................................................6
1.7 Methodology..............................................................................................................7
1.8 Site Selection..............................................................................................................7
Nisha Chamling 014-218
Student Center for Nepal Engineering College
1 CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND STUDY
1.1 Introduction
A student center is the social hub of a university and college. It is a facility that is
especially dedicated to students but not limited only to students as faculty and
guests can use it too. It is a building that caters to the need of socialization,
recreation and provides support to academic part of student life in universities and
colleges.
It is a building that houses numerous services for students in order to support them
in their academic advancements, develop socializing skills, enhance their abilities,
provide them a common platform to exhibit their talent and creativity, help them
organize events, conferences, discussions and so on. The union facilities are tailored
for the needs of every kind of personality. It is a comprehensive system of diverse
people, services, programs, and facilities that enrich intellectual, cultural and social
well-being of the students.
Historical Background
The idea of a student union-activities center for students was first established at
Oxford University in 1823 A.D. It is currently known as Oxford SU. It came in rise
in order to represent Oxford University students in the University’s decision
making, to act on the voice for students in the national higher education policy
debates and to provide direct services to the student body. [ CITATION
wikipedia18 \l 1033 ]
Following Oxford SU, in 1893 A.D. Houston Hall in University of Pennsylvania
was proposed to provide a facility for the social and recreational use of students. It
was completed in 1896 A.D. Originally it featured 4 lane bowling alley, swimming
pool, gymnasium, locker rooms, student lounge, billiards room, reception areas, an
auditorium, athletic department offices, trophy room, and offices for students’
clubs. It has undergone several renovations and in 1936 A.D., it was expanded with
addition of dining hall and student lounge. In 2000 A.D., Venturi, Scott Brown and
Associates (an architectural firm led by Robert Venturi and Pennsylvania graduate
Denise Scott Brown) led another renovation and now it contains a cafeteria, study
Nisha Chamling 014-218
Student Center for Nepal Engineering College
rooms, numerous meeting rooms and offices. It spreads over 85,324 sq. ft. area and
there are 21,599 students in the university. [CITATION wik18 \n \l 1033 ]
The largest student union that covers an area of 611,000 sq. ft. is at Oklahoma State
University. There are 25,594 students in the university. It also underwent several
renovations and now has banks, lounges, and offices, dining halls, restaurants,
ballroom, shops, gymnasium, and several other services. [ CITATION Okl19 \l
1033 ]
As we can see a student union was conceptualized with the purpose of providing a
social and recreational space for students and the services offered in it have been
adapted according to the need of time. Since the time of conceptualization and till
this day, importance of a student union remains intact.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Inclusion of a student union in universities and colleges began since 1823 A.D. at
Oxford University followed by University of Pennsylvania in 1823 A.D., which is
known as Houston Hall. Hence, it is evident that socialization has been accepted as
an integral part of student life in universities and colleges and it is being promoted
exceedingly.
However, universities and colleges in Nepal have yet to accept and include it.
Student union is still an ignored subject. Students have been managing this aspect
with nearby cafes and restaurants, open fields, gardens whichever is available.
Universities and colleges have only been focused on academic part while ignoring
the fact that students should be provided a part of student life beside academic
parts, which is provided through a student union.
In response to this problem, through my thesis I plan to conduct a thorough
investigation on necessary services to be included in a student union and design
such union accordingly.
1.3 Objectives
The main objective of the thesis is to come up with an appropriate design of student
union that will provide spaces for socialization, recreation and learning. The
objectives of the project are:
To study current available infrastructure at the site
To find shortcomings in the infrastructure provided in the site.
To find the demands of students at the site.
Nisha Chamling 014-218
Student Center for Nepal Engineering College
To design a student center that comprises necessary demands of students
and other infrastructures.
To design a student center that is appropriate for socializing, learning
simultaneously with socializing and recreation.
To design an inviting and user friendly student center.
To design a student center that unifies students of different faculties, sex,
places of origin.
To design a student center that unifies recreational activities and integrates
learning and socializing spaces.
1.4 Significance
It is understood that universities and colleges are not only places to study. It is a
place, where people from different lifestyle, background, culture, thoughts,
perceptions come together hence, there is abundant of information that can be
exchanged. Limiting students within the confinement of classrooms and academics
will limit the exchange of information and the development of students. In these
institutions, people come to gain knowledge and subsequently become
professionals. Thus, not imparting importance to socializing will limit their
development as social life is also an important part of life. And as observed in the
universities and colleges of Nepal, socializing and recreational spaces are provided
at minimum since they are mainly focused on academic aspect.
A student union can provide the necessary platform for socialization and recreation
and learning outside the boundary of classrooms. It will enhance their socializing
skills. Providing a student union in premise of universities and colleges is beneficial
to both students and the institution. It can help in fostering relationship between
students and with faculties. It will eventually help in communicating and
establishing cordial relationships, which will prove very helpful during the years
spent in the institution and beyond. On the other hand, institutions can also
capitalize on the social network established in student union by promoting
socialization and fostering relationships. It can maximize the competitive edge of a
college or university by assisting in the recruitment of new students, staff and
faculty through the quality of their facilities.
Therefore, it is very significant to provide a student union in university and college.
Nisha Chamling 014-218
Student Center for Nepal Engineering College
1.5 Scope and Limitation
The scopes of the project are:
This project is a part of an architectural thesis, prepared for the partial
fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Architecture.
All the data and information gathered can be used further for academic,
research and design.
The thesis will focus on designing an appropriate student union in the
context of a university or college of Nepal.
The project will provide a place for students to socialize, have fun and learn
simultaneously.
It will redefine building types necessary in college and universities.
The limitations of the project are:
The design will not focus on structural analysis of built structure of student
union, although structural consultation will be made.
It will not focus on social and economic survey of the site, as this is an
academic project, and this does not fall under the primary constraint.
It will only focus on betterment of infrastructure and facilities of the college
not the whole locality.
The project is concerned in built form so, there will be limited research and
study on feasibility of project and detailed site suitability will not be
analyzed.
1.6 Research Hypothesis
With the help of analyzed data from survey, collected data and information from
literature and case studies and their thorough assessment, an appropriate design of a
student union corresponding to the site is expected to be achieved. The final design
solution is expected to be based on findings of research and analysis. The outcome
of the project would be a landmark building with balance between building and
surroundings. The project after completion will help to develop fine understanding
about role and significance of a student center in a campus premise.
1.7 Methodology
To gather essential information regarding student center and achieve the current
stage of report, the methodologies that were employed are mentioned below.
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Student Center for Nepal Engineering College
Topic selection
Case Study Literature Review
Primary study Primary source
Going to the site and From books,
study reports, journals
Secondary study Secondary Source
Via internet Via internet
Program formulation
Area requirements
Figure 1.1 Flowchart of Methodology
formulation
1.8 Site Selection
I have chosen the site of my project “student center” at Nepal Engineering College,
Changunarayan, Bhaktapur. Nepal Engineering College provides undergraduate
degree on 6 departments. There are 2100 students and 126 faculties. Many services
can be found lacking in the college and among them socialization space is a prime
problem. At present time, socializing happens either at cafes and restaurants nearby
or at ground and garden. These spaces are not always appropriate for socialization,
recreation, and learning. In addition to this, the football ground that is used in
maximum at the moment as socializing space is being taken away for the
construction of hospital, which will eventually pose a great problem to students.
There are very few recreational facilities, which also are not managed properly.
Therefore, in order to acknowledge these problems and find solution, I have chosen
the site of my project at Nepal Engineering College.
Nisha Chamling 014-218
