Auburn University students have a new place to gather, study, relax and celebrate campus life with the opening of the newly renovated Melton Student Center Patio.
The approximately 21,200-square-foot, $3 million renovation transforms what was once an underutilized outdoor area into an active extension of the student center. Driven in large part by Auburn’s Student Government Association, the vision was to create a true “backyard” for students — a welcoming destination at the heart of campus that could support everything from an afternoon study session to a large university event.
The redesigned patio features a central event lawn with tiered seating, outdoor study and lounge areas, integrated power and technology, and a large-scale LED video display. Improved circulation and the removal of existing physical barriers better connect the patio to surrounding campus pathways, while a variety of seating environments give students more choices for gathering or finding a quiet place to work.
Existing heritage oak trees were preserved as part of the design, providing valuable shade and helping retain the established character of the site. New landscaping, shade structures and campus-inspired materials complement the surrounding architecture while giving the patio a fresh identity of its own.
Since opening, the space is already becoming what it was envisioned to be — a hub for student life. From Midday Music events to studying between classes, socializing with friends and gathering for campus activities, the patio provides a flexible outdoor environment designed to adapt to the many ways students experience Auburn.
