A cluster of fabric, carpet and paint samples in Mary Reyes' office gives a glimpse of the colors students, faculty and staff will see in the wellness center.
While construction crews install the floors and ceilings in the Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center, it’s up to Mary Reyes to determine how they’ll look when students first walk through the doors.
Reyes, the Abilene Christian University director of campus aesthetics, and her student worker, Alex Potess, for several weeks have been working full-time on what materials, colors and furnishings will decorate the wellness center within the allotted budget.
The decisions balance appearance, practicality and cost, Reyes says.
“The recreation center is vibrant and energetic and needs to convey that,” she said, whereas space for the Medical and Counseling Care Center needs to be “a comforting environment. That’s a place where students know it’s safe. You see more earth tones over there.”
Final decisions have been made on furniture choices, from lobby seating to classroom chairs to counseling couches and office furnishings, while plans are taking shape on such items as wall color and flooring surfaces.
“Everything from floor to ceiling,” Reyes said, “that conversation has happened.”