A Lehigh for Everyone: Designing for Inclusion at Clayton University Center
By Katie Chambers, AIA, EDAC, LEED AP
For seven consecutive years, Lehigh University has been recognized for its leadership in equity and inclusion as a Higher Education Excellence and Distinction Award recipient and a two-time HEED Champion. A Lehigh for Everyone is the university’s foundation initiative dedicated to creating a campus where all individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. But this commitment goes beyond an initiative on paper to actions reflected in the planning, design, and execution of the newly renovated Clayton University Center.
Lehigh Clayton University Center, Bethlehem, PA. Photo by Marjorie Becker/Accidentally Wes Anderson.
Crafting a Vision of Community
From the project inception, the design team invited groups to participate in interactive workshops, giving end-users the opportunity to help imagine the possibilities of the new facility. The inclusive programming and community engagement resulted in a building that is primarily made up of multi-use spaces that transform and adapt throughout the day, blending dining, studying, and student life events. By incorporating a mix of both large, open and small, enclosed spaces, the building truly becomes a place for all students, allowing them to tailor their environment to what works best for their needs and circumstances. The renovation provides spaces that support connections on every level—from being “alone together” to gathering for campus events.
Lehigh Clayton University Center, Bethlehem, PA. Photo by Todd Mason | Halkin Mason.
These tailored yet flexible design choices are already being applied by the university. For example, a fourth-floor meeting space has since been reimagined as a lounge for neurodivergent students, an update made seamlessly and at no additional cost due to the building’s adaptable design. Features like flexible room layouts, user-controlled environmental settings, and the ability to reconfigure or relocate furnishings empower the university to respond quickly and thoughtfully to its community.
The building also reflects the character and creativity of the Lehigh community itself, from the display of the university’s original bell to custom tables crafted by students in the pub. These kinds of details embed campus identity into the fabric of the space.
Breaking Bread
Listening to student feedback on the existing dining experience, the team found that while the Clayton University Center needed to remain a central dining hub, the experience and variety in offerings needed a major overhaul. Creating a more inclusive and equitable dining experience started with removing the barriers that divided diners depending on their meal plan. Reflecting the changing student body preferences, new food concepts were introduced such as Kosher, Halal, and a full-service sit-down Pub. To support variety in dining menu offerings over time, the central kitchen equipment was kept adaptable and supports a ‘ghost’ platform offering which acts as a testing ground for new menu concepts.
Lehigh Clayton University Center, Bethlehem, PA. Photos by Todd Mason | Halkin Mason and Keith Isaacs.
Supporting Student Life and Belonging
Beyond physical design, the renovation rethinks how student life resources are experienced. The Advocacy Centers, which had previously been located off a primary circulation route, were relocated to provide more equitable space for each center while also addressing student concerns about privacy. Their new location ensures students can access resources in a way that feels comfortable and discreet.
At the same time, spaces that were once limited in use have been opened to the broader campus community. The historic Great Room, previously reserved for faculty dining, now hosts a range of student-centered events, ranging from basketball watch parties to open mic nights, expanding access and reinforcing a sense of shared ownership across campus life.
Lehigh Clayton University Center, Bethlehem, PA. Photo by Keith Isaacs.
Lehigh Clayton University Center, Bethlehem, PA. Photo by Todd Mason | Halkin Mason.
Lehigh Clayton University Center, Bethlehem, PA. Photo by Todd Mason | Halkin Mason.
Accessibility
Improving accessibility around and through the Clayton University Center was another project driver. The steeply sloping site and historic structure provided challenges as the team sought to maintain iconic exteriors and cherished “postcard” campus view from the adjacent lawn. As a result, the design added accessible entrances on two levels while increasing the accessibility of existing entries as well as developing a clearer wayfinding system.
Improvements extend beyond the building itself. New outdoor gathering areas, such as a fire pit and accessible exterior patios, create additional opportunities for connection, offering welcoming spaces for students to gather informally and build community across seasons.
From the earliest planning phases, the renewal of the Clayton University Center prioritized becoming a space that values and supports the Lehigh community. Through flexible design strategies, expanded access to shared spaces, inclusive dining, and thoughtful integration of student feedback, the project is a direct reflection of the “A Lehigh for Everyone” foundational initiative, creating a welcoming place for all for many decades to come.
Lehigh Clayton University Center, Bethlehem, PA. Photo by Todd Mason | Halkin Mason.
Katie Chambers, AIA, EDAC, LEED AP
Associate Principal
Katie is an associate principal at Shepley Bulfinch with expertise in project management, early design phase planning and project delivery across a range of project types. With work spanning across the country, she brings fresh perspectives to the built environment.