Saint Joseph’s University Sister Thea Bowman Hall
Hawkish Brand Experience
- Branded Environments
- Interpretive Storytelling
- Education
New Beginnings on Hawk Hill
Sister Thea Bowman Hall, a new residence hall for more than 500 first‑year students at SJU, honors the legacy of the late educator and social justice advocate whose work profoundly impacted the Catholic Church and the Black community. Charged with bringing the heart and spirit of Saint Joseph’s University into the building, Exit designed two feature installations that welcome students and set the tone for their residential experience.
Design Development + Fabrication by Drive21
The Hawk Will Never Die
As students ascend the main staircase, an eye‑catching installation unfolds to reflect the journey they are beginning, one that will continue throughout their four years at the University. Inspired by origami, a series of sculptural forms depict the evolution of a crimson hawk, Saint Joseph’s beloved mascot. With each step upward, the origami gradually transforms, symbolizing growth, empowerment, and self‑discovery until it emerges in its fully realized hawk form.
Reflections of Belonging and Possibility
Within the main student lounge, a space that often serves as the starting point for a student’s connection to campus life, Exit conceived a lenticular feature wall that delivers a dual message. Approached from one direction, the wall reinforces a connection to community; from the other, it reveals an inspirational message focused on possibility and the future, encouraging students to reflect on both who they are today and who they are becoming.
