April 2009
By Christopher Hill, AIA
College and university administrators and campus housing officers face new challenges as they prepare to accommodate the next generation of students. Traditional residence halls offer little flexibility in housing different classes with differing spatial needs and expectations. Fixed floor plans, designed specifically for doubles, singles or suites, limit housing options when there is a change in demand. Reconfiguration usually requires costly structural changes and considerable construction time. The Universal Residence Hall is designed to meet the competitive concerns of colleges and universities by providing the highest degree of flexibility with the lowest cost and time needed to react, respond and stay competitive with their campus housing.
