From Lava Lamps to iPhones: Updating 60's Dorms into 21st Century Living Learning Centers
Frankie Minor, University of Missouri-Columbia; Randy Alexander, University of Arkansas; Diana Robertson, University of Kansas; and Nadia Zhiri of Treanor Architects gave a presentation at ACUHO-I's Annual Conference in Austin, Texas.
Many campuses have mid-century residence halls built in the 1950’s and 60’s and are challenged with updating or renovating them to meet the dramatically different philosophies and programmatic goals of current residential life professional as well as the expectations of today’s, and tomorrow’s, college students. Demolishing these facilities and replacing them with new is frequently prohibitive. However, with solid structural integrity, there is real long-term value in renovating these buildings to support student personal, social and academic success for our current and future students.
Three senior housing officers and a student housing renovation architect compare and contrast their uncommon solutions to common midcentury student housing renovation issues like: shifting programmatic philosophies, aesthetics, population density, public spaces, dining, green principles, and utilities. This presentation will explore different approaches to common challenges and provide insight into lessons learned on many major university student housing renovation projects. Presenters will provide strategies and recommendations for focusing renovation dollars on areas to maximize impact.
If you are interested in a copy of the presentation, please email ebengoa@treanorarchitects.com.
