Combes Student Life Center

In January 2015, AUP’s building on rue du Colonel Combes reopened, fully renovated, as the Combes Student Life Center. This first stage in our campus development plan allowed us to replace our historic Bosquet building, which, despite our best efforts, we could not renovate in a way that would properly achieve our student-centered vision.

With its elegant facade, well-appointed grands salons and private courtyard, Combes is a vibrant hub of student activity. It is home to student leadership and clubs working in close collaboration with Student Development staff. Notable spaces include:

• The Joy and Edward Frieman Environmental Science Center, containing state-of-the-art climate chambers for experimental student projects.
• The Pierre and Christina de Labouchere ’86 Art Studio, which provides space for students to express their creativity.
• The AUP Fine Arts Gallery on the ground floor – now extended into the Quai d’Orsay Learning Commons – where both students and professional artists regularly showcase their work and where new exhibits open every three weeks.
• The new AMEX Café, adjacent to the gallery and entirely redesigned and expanded.

The AMEX Café - An AUP Institution

With the sale of Bosquet and the creation of the Combes Student Life Center in early 2015, it was fitting that Combes become the new home of the AMEX. Since its inception as a student-run project to create a café in Bosquet, the AMEX has been the well-loved site of much student social and intellectual activity.

Today, the expanded AMEX – its new home was conceived of and designed by AUP alumni with great care to reflect the University’s distinct community culture – has a unique look and feel; serves delicious food and drink; hosts student-organized events and speakers; and provides a welcoming environment for students, alumni, faculty and staff. The addition of an outdoor terrace brings the cafe closer to its origins – the first AMEX was located in the open-air courtyard behind the Bosquet building – while also creating a great hangout for students wanting to enjoy a moment in the sun. The cafe also opens onto the AUP Fine Arts Gallery, where student work is often displayed as well as exhibitions by notable professional artists. The gallery now extends from Combes along the glass atrium that connects the building to the Quai d’Orsay Learning Commons.