The layout was designed to serve two different modes of use: one section of the room was configured as a living-room-style lounge, with the settees, chairs, and drum tables arranged for relaxed gatherings. The other was set up with mobile chairs to give veterans the flexibility to work, move, and reconfigure the space as needed.

Fabric selections leaned into the spirit of the space — a red, white, and blue palette that honored the Veteran Center's patriotic identity while keeping the overall feel grounded and comfortable.

“The architect wanted a homey feeling,” Rothwell said. “We looked at Integra because we’ve used their products in the past and liked them a lot. Maureen really liked the look of the Rendezvous because of the substantial feel, along with the curves and the look gave it that residential comfort she was looking for.”

The Veteran Center refresh was part of a broader Student Success Center renovation at Stanton, a campus-wide investment in spaces designed to support student well-being and access to resources. Though the larger renovation had taken place several years prior, the veteran lounge itself had lingered with furniture that, while adequate, didn’t deliver the sense of comfort and belonging the college wanted people to feel the moment they walked in.

For Douron and Buck Simpers Architects, Integra checked every box: the durability required of a contract-grade lounge environment, the aesthetic warmth needed to make visitors feel at ease, and the flexibility to configure the space in multiple ways. The Rendezvous collection offered a silhouette that bridges the gap between commercial and residential, which was exactly what the design brief called for.

While the seating footprint is modest, the impact on the space is anything but small. The Delaware Tech Veteran Center is now a place where comfort is built into every seat.