The crowd of students, staff and faculty cheered and applauded as the ribbon was cut at the VenDen grand opening on Tuesday morning; an area designed by students, for students. “The intent of this project was to create a signature space for students, and we’ve clearly done that,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Life Lisa Erwin, “but the other intent was to involve students in every step of the way … and that’s exactly what happened.”
Solveig Bloomquist, the winner of the VenDen student design contest held last spring, cut the red ribbon to officially open the VenDen space for use. New light boxes and LED lighting illuminated what used to be a characteristically dark and dingy space. People in attendance, and those who planned the makeover, all seemed to approve of the newly designed lounge.
“I’m very happy with how it turned out,” said Patrick Keenan, the administrative director of UMD Auxiliary Services. Keenan has played a large role in the coordination and planning of the VenDen space.
“When you are designing a space and it goes from what’s in your mind to what’s on paper, and then what’s on paper to what’s actually in the room, you hope that the translation works,” Keenan said. “I think it was a really good, sweet translation. I think it turned out really nice through the efforts of a lot of folks.”
Chancellor Lendley Black also attended the grand opening, and spoke briefly.
“The result of this renovation is a space that was sorely needed at UMD, and a renovation that was long overdue,” Black said. He also said that he has met with alumni whom he told about the redesign, and the consistent response he got was, “It’s about time.”
“This is an exciting time for us and for our students,” Black added. “We obviously need strong academic spaces on campus, but we also need spaces like this that allow students to have the time they need to relax, to grab a snack, and this is also, in some ways, an academic space.”
During the renovation process, there was a debate among students about whether to keep the retro orange high chairs that used to be in the VenDen.
While the old chairs are gone, new, moveable orange chairs now sit in the lounge. Along with these chairs, there are now couches, rotating chairs and red high chairs that students can move. Additionally, there is a counter with a sink, as well as bar-style seating on the wall opposite the counter.
Bloomquist was pleased with the outcome of the VenDen, and said it was very close to her original design.
“It turned out beautifully,” Bloomquist said. “It’s very, very similar. They took elements of other students’ designs, like the light boxes, which were really good design choices and necessary, but the aesthetic is very, very similar.”
Sue Anderson, a certified interior designer, took Bloomquist’s and other students’ ideas and made them a reality. She worked with facilities management to design the space, and then facilities management began the renovations.
“I was just so pleased with the student input,” Anderson said. “I’ve never just had such a great program to work with.”
Anderson said that a theme of maroon and gold is “hidden” throughout the design, and that students should keep an eye out for the subtle colors.
The money for the renovation, which was a little over $250,000, came from a number of different sources, according to Black. About half came from the student services fee committee, while the rest came from dining services, facilities management, the sustainability office, and the money UMD receives from Coca-Cola.
Student Jason Spanier was studying in the VenDen after the grand opening, and said that he approved of the renovations.
“I really like it,” Spanier said. “It’s a nice comfortable setting — easy to study in. There’s enough people in here but it’s still quiet and you can be productive and focus on what you need to do.”
Spanier said that although he didn’t spend much time in the old VenDen, he is planning on utilizing the new lounge more often.
Jessica Schacht was also in the lounge, but she had already grabbed a sneak peak before the grand opening.
“I like it,” Schacht said. “I came and checked it out yesterday because I saw it was open.”
Schacht said she liked the new LED lights and how bright they made the space, as well as the new microwaves.
“It was a little old and outdated, but the new stuff in here — it’s a lot more comfortable and updated,” Spanier added. “I like the feel of it more.”
BY SAM STROM
News Editor