In an effort to keep up with the overall student body growth campus wide, England Hall was conceived as a means to specifically capture the needs of the “freshman experience” in a residence hall. It is a critical part of the freshman year to “find your place” on campus and make social connections that will support and foster the educational journey. This five-story facility was designed to provide a series of community spaces for students to form social bonds outside of their own room. The double-occupancy living units are purposefully designed with a small footprint to efficiently house two students in each room. Small community “living room” spaces, study areas, and laundry rooms are located outside of the units on each wing of each floor to promote student interaction. Larger community spaces for the entire floor are located at the elevator lobbies. The basement includes a common area facing the lake as an community “home” where much larger groups of students can gather, study and hang out. This basement space also doubles as a storm shelter to house the occupants of the entire facility. England Hall provides a contextual design response that elegantly blends with the University’s more traditional character and image, while providing contemporary furnishing and facilities inside.

Completion

2018

Size

154,000 SF

Services

Architecture
Interior Design