Brunswick, ME – Bates College dedicated its new 150-student residence complex in a ceremony today. President Elaine Tuttle Hansen and Pam Wichroski, Bates’ project manager for the facility’s construction, spoke at the event. The complex, comprising two residence wings and a central community gathering space, is linked by glass-walled bridges. The sophisticated structure will support student academics and foster social interaction, all with the smallest possible environmental footprint. Within the central building, a vibrant, light-filled laundry room serves as a popular area for study and conversation. One student termed the space “my favorite place in the building,” particularly the natural light and wireless access.

Hansen noted that the project “gives ...[more]

Philadelphia, PA – The bioswale created as part of the design and construction of the Kanbar Campus Center at Philadelphia University was highlighted in an article on sustainable practices in sustainable practices among area institutions of higher education.

The stormwater management system creates a series of dams, pools, and wetlands to manage major storm runoff. In the larger context of “campus as classroom”, the system will also serve as an ecological teaching tool for the Philadelphia University campus.

Troy, NY – Phase 1 of the two-part renovation of community life spaces at the historic Emma Willard School has been completed and enthusiastically welcomed on this independent school campus in upstate New York. This phase of the renovation of first and ground floor spaces in Sage/Hyphen/Kellas encompasses a renovation and dining room addition.

The dining room was designed to create a “welcoming hearth” for students, with a feel akin to that of a kitchen in a very large stately home. The design integrates health and wellness into other elements of intellectual life of the campus. Good nutrition is provided a cultural context, in a setting that is both uplifting and ...[more]

Jonathan Ross

Food for Thought: Innovative Dining Supports Student Life

Tom Kearns discusses the adaptive re-use project that transformed Illinois Wesleyan’s Memorial Gymnasium into the dynamic Hansen Student Center.

The article first appeared in the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) magazine in August 2004.

From a Neo Classical Gym to a Classic Student Center: Adaptive Re-use Creates Vibrant Student Center

What does flexibility mean when thinking about student life facilities? Here, Tom Kearns talks about programmatic, spatial, and structural flexibility, drawing examples from the firm’s recent work. This article first appeared in the ACUI (Association of College Unions International) Bulletin.

Flexible spaces – ACUI Bulletin, May 2003