Design Professional Services - New First-Year Student Residence Hall

The proposed project will provide an approximately 120,500 gsf, 525 bed residence hall. The design intent and scope of the proposed project would deliver new beds with amenities very similar to the aforementioned Russell Hall and Brumby Hall renovations. Rooms would be planned for a double occupancy and flexibly designed to allow students the ability to reconfigure and customize the in-room furniture layout. Additionally, bedrooms will include individualized climate control. Privacy-enhanced community bathrooms will be located on each hall or wing of the facility. The square foot per student ratio, inclusive of sleeping rooms, bathrooms and programmatic spaces is anticipated to be comparable to that of other first-year residence halls, including Russell and Brumby. The proposed design intent reflects an efficient use of space that supports the continued commitment to an appropriate balance between student needs and affordability. The collaborative space offered to our students in the freshman housing community strongly supports and enhances the University’s academic mission and student centered focus. This model provides students with a sense of connection to fellow students and, consequently, a stronger sense of community. Opportunities for interaction and engagement are particularly beneficial to first-year students, who are the primary occupants of the adjacent residence halls. The new beds will capture and expand upon these benefits and further improve the student experience through the inclusion of enhanced amenities, such as providing student study lounges, laundry areas, and community kitchens.