Study Hall (Prom A) to be reimagined as Business Lounge
By Engr. Paulino Lazarte
The Study Hall (formerly Promenade A) is being reimagined as the University’s new Business Lounge, reflecting a deliberate shift toward spaces that are functional and formative.
Made possible through the generosity of UA&P alumnus Miguel V. Tan (BSBA, 2018), the renovation centers on what matters for productive work: comfort, functionality, and an atmosphere conducive to professionalism. Once completed, the space will be fully air-conditioned, with upgraded lighting and a layout designed to support both individual study and collaborative work.
A key feature of the upgraded lounge is the installation of long tables complemented by drop lights, creating an environment especially conducive to group discussions, teamwork, and focused academic engagement.
These design upgrades are not mere conveniences. Research in environmental psychology shows that well-designed spaces with proper lighting and controlled temperature reduce distraction and sustain focused attention. When students have access to environments built for serious work, they tend to rise to meet them. The Business Lounge is built on that premise.
The project is expected to be completed by May 2026, with a coffee concessionaire planned to encourage students to remain on campus and make better use of their time between classes. The power consumption of the lounge will be shouldered by the concessionaire as part of the operational arrangement.
University Vice President for Finance and Administrative Affairs Mrs. Aurea Cruz frames the initiative as one of formation, not just infrastructure: “We are preparing our students not just for the classroom, but for the business world. The spaces we build must reflect the standards we expect, especially the value of professionalism.”
This connection between student spaces and standards is worth underscoring. The environment students are exposed to shapes the habits and expectations they internalize. A student who works daily in a professionally designed space begins to carry that standard into group discussions, internships, and eventually into the industries they will lead. Facilities do not merely support learning but transmit expected conduct and demeanor.
In its renewed form, the Business Lounge is envisioned as a space that reinforces discipline, excellence, and community hallmarks of the University’s formation, and qualities that students will carry well beyond graduation.