Residential life has long been a major part of Miami University's history, culture, and educational mission. Beechwoods, Stonebridge, and Hillcrest residence halls, approximately 74,000SF each, have recently debuted on the Western campus. These three high-profile buildings, each with its own identity and personality, provide the university with 720 new beds. Based on a design competition, the team of Mackey Mitchell Architects, with Whiting-Turner and CR Architects was chosen to create this residential community defined by simplicity and elegance. This was the first university project of its kind to be completed under a design/build delivery method.
Shape
A major design challenge was to respect the university's traditional architecture yet create something new and timeless that would take the campus architecture to the next level. To meet a fast-track project schedule, an efficient decision-making process was required to meet the design competition's demanding six-week time frame. To expedite the design process, the team held three "temperature taking" exercises which helped the client understand the visual development process and provide the design team with a vision for the residence hall's new look.
Inspire
While the main campus is formal, the Western campus is more pastoral and informal in its setting with plazas and walkways, designed to improve pedestrian flow. The structures are sited to tie together all active community locations. Each building's common areas feature large expanses of glass, bringing the indoor and outdoor environments together with light, views, and activity. Because of the project's success, the design team has been commissioned to work with the university on future work, including two new residence halls, the renovation of four existing residence halls, the Martin Dining Facility within the North Quad, and an update to the university's residential life master plan.
Passion + Perspective
Site planning study often take both the buildings and the exterior spaces into account. This image shows the relationship of the "in between" spaces.
The design team presented the coordinated interior finish materials to the client.
As part of the final competition, Mackey Mitchell presented design analysis of each elevation.
We engaged the client group with a "Design Temperature Taking" activity during programming.
Our energy analysis included winter wind simulations, to identify how building shape and placement affects on-site wind.
Because of the project's success, the design team has also been commissioned to work with the University on the renovation of four existing residence halls, the Martin Dining Facility and a Campus Residential Life Plan.
