A New Campus Living Room
With the opening of Biehl Commons at the center of campus this semester, Sewanee students get a facility purpose-built for their enjoyment—a place to hang out, study, meet friends, and grab a bite. Join us for a look at what the new social commons has to offer.
Walk through the front door of the recently opened Biehl Commons on University Avenue and you’re going to find students engaged in a number of different ways. To your right, you’ll see a line at the café, where customers are ordering boba teas in different flavors and shareable plates—sweet potato waffle fries, pork or shiitake potstickers, chips and queso, etc.—to enjoy while they catch a game on the big projection screen at one end of the room. To your left, a fire in the large fireplace has attracted a handful of students to its adjacent seating area, some of whom are typing away on laptops while others play a board game. Beyond the fireplace is a light-filled sunroom overlooking Abbo’s Alley, where a cluster of friends sip their teas and talk about their days while others chalk their cues to prepare for the next shot in a game of Eight Ball. The variety of ways students are enjoying the space and interacting with one another is intentional—in fact it was the driving force behind the design of the building.
The renovation of the building formerly known as Thompson Union returns it to the center of student life on campus. It’s a place to grab a bite to eat, meet a friend for a study session, play a game, or just take a break between classes. It is, in the words of Assistant Dean of Students Kyle Gallagher, “the living room” of campus. “It’s that one space where students can all come together, can hold events together, can share experiences together, and it’s focused on them and the student life experience.”
Biehl Commons is the last piece of the University’s “distributed commons” puzzle to fall into place. The 2017 renovation of a portion of duPont Library created the Learning Commons, responding to a growing need for more collaborative spaces and up-to-date technology. And the Wellness Commons, opened in 2020 on the site of the old University Bookstore, focuses on student health and well-being, housing the University Wellness Center, a fitness facility, and the Sewanee Outing Program. In contrast, Biehl is a social commons, wholly dedicated to the student experience, with an emphasis on relaxation, recreation, and entertainment.
Join us for a quick tour …
The main space in Biehl Commons offers tables for diners, comfortable seating for gathering, and a stage at one end of the room for open mics, karaoke nights, student bands, and more.
The main space in Biehl Commons offers tables for diners, comfortable seating for gathering, and a stage at one end of the room for open mics, karaoke nights, student bands, and more.
A stone fireplace serves as anchor for a comfortable seating area just off the main space. Assistant Dean of Students Kyle Gallagher says various "sub-spaces" throughout the building were intended to offer students a variety of ways to gather.
A stone fireplace serves as anchor for a comfortable seating area just off the main space. Assistant Dean of Students Kyle Gallagher says various "sub-spaces" throughout the building were intended to offer students a variety of ways to gather.
Staffed largely by students, the Biehl Commons café currently offers boba teas and shareable plates, but the menu will soon be extended to include bowls in a variety of flavor profiles that will allow customers to choose a base—rice, quinoa, etc.—a protein, and toppings.
Staffed largely by students, the Biehl Commons café currently offers boba teas and shareable plates, but the menu will soon be extended to include bowls in a variety of flavor profiles that will allow customers to choose a base—rice, quinoa, etc.—a protein, and toppings.
A sunroom overlooking Abbo's Alley features gathering space and games.
A sunroom overlooking Abbo's Alley features gathering space and games.
Shuffleboard is one of several table games—also, foosball, pool, and ping-pong—available to students.
Shuffleboard is one of several table games—also, foosball, pool, and ping-pong—available to students.
"Corner pocket."
"Corner pocket."
A sunny room in the back of the building overlooks an outdoor terrace.
A sunny room in the back of the building overlooks an outdoor terrace.
Lunch with friends.
Lunch with friends.
The front porch, facing University Avenue.
The front porch, facing University Avenue.
"We know our students like living on and enjoying the Domain," says Assistant Dean of Students Kyle Gallagher. "So the building includes ample spaces—on the front porch and on the terrace in the back—for them to gather and hang out."
"We know our students like living on and enjoying the Domain," says Assistant Dean of Students Kyle Gallagher. "So the building includes ample spaces—on the front porch and on the terrace in the back—for them to gather and hang out."
A Super Bowl watch party drew a large crowd for the first big event in Biehl Commons.
A Super Bowl watch party drew a large crowd for the first big event in Biehl Commons.
When the weather gets a little warmer, Gray Terrace behind Biehl Commons will be a perfect setting for an outdoor event or just hanging out with friends.
When the weather gets a little warmer, Gray Terrace behind Biehl Commons will be a perfect setting for an outdoor event or just hanging out with friends.
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