A 2009 study at the University of Minnesota showed a significant demand for on-campus housing the university could no longer provide. To remedy the situation, the university selected Mackey Mitchell Architects with TKDA architects and Mortenson Construction to design a $62.5 million, 230,000SF building that would set a new standard for student housing. With 600 beds, a 350-seat dining facility, Greek Chapter rooms, community lounges, fireplace lounge, technology resource center, and music practice rooms, this is the first residence hall built on campus in more than a decade.
The design team was focused on creating a place that would provide venues for social interaction, recognizing that a comfortable, welcoming environment contributes to success in the classroom. With great views of the Minnesota skyline and a splash of modernism, the six-story building fits comfortably in the neighborhood as well as the historic area of University Avenue known as Fraternity Row, demonstrating how privacy and community can be balanced within an urban setting.
A winner in the 2013 Best in Real Estate Award for Student Housing from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, the project was chosen for its degree of difficulty, sustainability, design, and innovative construction techniques. "It was a tight fit to get all the features we needed..." said Laurie McLaughlin, Director of Housing and Residential Life, "but we had great architects who did a lot of creative work to get it done."
This image shows a conceptual floor plan where the design team is studying programmatic adjacencies.
Projects are studied both in three dimensions and in two dimensions. Elevation studies are often used to finalize the exterior material composition and study building scale.
Here is a photo of the ribbon cutting ceremony during the dedication.
It has been exciting and inspirational to work with such a committed and creative group of professionals.