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A Campus Core Ready for Renewal

CU Denver set out to refresh two of its busiest student hubs, the North Classroom Atrium and the Student Commons. Furniture had deteriorated and the experience no longer matched how students learn and gather.

The goal was a welcoming, durable, and functional campus heart that supports daily academic life.

“It was negatively affecting the campus experience. We gotta warm this up, we gotta brighten it up.”

From Worn Out to Student-First

The spaces needed more study and social options, better accessibility, and layouts that make movement and power simple.

WR and CU Denver focused on a mix of zones that support solo focus, small-group work, and everyday campus flow. The needs paired cleanability and durability with settings students would actually use.

“What we needed was various space types throughout the large atrium as well as in student commons.”

The Partner Who Knows Higher Ed

Sabrina had partnered with Workplace Resource before and trusted their higher-ed experience and process.

WR was already an approved vendor, which streamlined selection and contracting. The team’s campus familiarity meant faster alignment on needs, products, and timelines.

“And we in cu have a list of approved vendors and I was happy that WR was one. I just knew that they were the best to work with out of all of them.”

Designed with Students' Input

Workplace Resource supported CU Denver in gathering direct input from students before any decisions were finalized.

A pop-up session in the atrium quickly captured preferences on furniture styles, layouts, and study settings. That feedback shaped the final plan, ensuring the spaces reflected how students actually wanted to use them.

“We had about 150 responses in just those couple hours alone.”

From Plan to Install Without the Stress

Workplace Resource managed the installation with efficiency and attention to detail. The team coordinated deliveries, assembled products quickly, and kept the process clean so the spaces were ready for students as planned.

Clear communication throughout gave CU Denver confidence that everything would be finished on time and to standard.

“WR provided really good ideas that I hadn't thought about as we were working together.”

Spaces Students Actually Choose to Use

The Atrium reads warmer and more inviting, and activity now fills the space across the day. Students study, meet, and recharge in settings that match their routines, and the Student Commons entry presents a professional welcome for families.

Early use shows seats are taken and the energy is high.

“I went there yesterday and every seat was taken and it, it was great.”

Trust Earned Through Partnership

Sabrina points to WR’s higher-ed knowledge, transparent communication, and dependable execution as key strengths. The experience felt collaborative from planning through install, with outcomes that met the campus need. She recommends WR with confidence.