Construction of a new commuter lounge is underway.

Located at Warnock and Berks streets, the new lounge will be ready for student, faculty and staff commuters by spring semester 2015.

“We have a large commuter population,” said James Creedon, senior vice president for construction, facilities and operations. “We’re hoping that the new lounge draws a mix of those who take SEPTA’s Regional Rail and use bus services in the area.”

The colorful lounge will include a gaming area, a television area, amphitheater-type seating, a kitchenette, general lounge seating and airport-style lockers for storage. There will also be monitors that display Regional Rail train schedules so that students can time their departures, Creedon said.

Facilities identified the need for a new commuter lounge during the master planning process with Theresa Powell, vice president of student affairs.

Students were also concerned about the need for a new commuter space. As part of their class project, undergraduates enrolled in President Neil D. Theobald’s 2013-2014 Organizational Change at Temple University course identified the need for and helped design a lounge.

Theobald immediately signed on and approved the project.

“When we initiated this project, we looked for space that would best serve the needs of commuter students,” said James Templeton, director of architectural services. “The space at Warnock and Berks streets seemed like the best fit for our design and concept. Students will have space to relax, plan and finish assignments between commutes.”

Philadelphia-based Olaya Studio assisted with the project, and the furniture is from Allsteel, a national company with local offices in North Philadelphia.