Student Housing and University Center

This new student housing and university center project represents a significant step in the modernization of the University’s housing options as well as the introduction of a vibrant campus core that serves both students and faculty alike. The project greatly reduces the University’s dependence on the surrounding community for student housing while supporting a planned increase in enrollment among undergraduate and graduate students. 

The site offers unparalleled views of the Hudson River and New York City’s skyline beyond. The design uses the two housing towers and connecting Sky Lounge to frame views and visual connections from the heart of campus back towards lower Manhattan while simultaneously minimizing the amount of building mass obstructing views along the campus’ quad and pedestrian thoroughfare.

The living-learning community and mixed-use facility is organized into two towers. The north tower is designed with 18 levels of student housing while the south tower contains 16 levels of student housing, totaling approximately 1000 beds. The massing of the towers are broken down into three volumes, generated from the building program, to create a dynamic composition where the building meets the sky. The eastern edges of the towers end in glassy angular student lounges that respond to views of lower Manhattan. A new three level University Center nestles the projects into the steep side hill site condition and connects the residential towers at their base. The western side of the university center was designed with a traditional aesthetic that derives from the historic red brick campus vernacular, while the eastern edge of the projects lends itself to contemporary glass volumes to maximize internal views and daylighting.  Design Collective is collaborating with Wallace Roberts & Todd on the interior design of the University Center.