The development of the new residence hall on the proposed site presents many opportunities as a catalyst in the Lee Road extension plan, thus strengthening the connection with the campus core and creating a signature gateway element. The siting of the building that makes up the 600-bed complex was organized to respond and connect to the existing Ellicott complex, maximize green space on the site, take advantage of the views of Lake LaSalle, and plan for future development of the Lee Road extension.
Design competition, First-place
The configuration of the building was designed to create an internal green space that overlooks the lake but is buffered from the noise of the passing Audubon Parkway. Our solution captures students as they cross the road and walk under cover until they reach the main entry and drop-off at which point they enter the new building and walk towards the cafe/commons area on the first floor which occurs at the apex of the proposed complex and the Ellicott complex. The architecture and exterior building materials are intended to complement the Ellicott complex, the exterior facades are planned to be brick with curtain wall at the building intersections at common areas, and punched window openings at each bedroom.
The building plan organization is composed of 30 to 40 students per floor by creating small neighborhoods. The internal neighborhoods are joined by shared areas externa ly expressed by floor-to-ceiling glass; containing lounge space, laundry, computer stations, and building stairwells. The massing of the buildings has been developed in response to the context of the adjacent Ellicott complex, the lake, and the surrounding parkway. The two buildings that are organized in the North-South axis are planned to be five stories in height and as the complex turns to the east it steps down to four stories and finally three stories for the building closest to the lake.