USU unveils new Living Center

Come summer of 2006, Utah State University will sport a dramatic new look on the north end of Old Main Hill with the completion of a new living/learning community, including a new parking structure where the old steam plant currently stands.

The plan, selected from 10 architectural firms that submitted bids, was designed in the style of “collegiate contextualism,” said Keith Bennett, with KCB Architecture in Layton. Along with KCB Architecture, the contract to construct the six building complex was awarded to Evergreene Construction, of Salt Lake City.

Bennett said the design plans feature a residential feel to fit in with the rest of the campus proper in a very prominent university location. “We wanted it to have a college campus feel that contextually ties the historical elements of its surrounding building neighbors,” he said.

According to Bennett, the architectural style of Old Main was the key point of inspiration for the new complex. “The living/learning community will be a modern expression of the Romanesque style of Old Main,” he said. “This way each building will look and feel more like a home, instead of just another building on campus.”

The new $40 million complex will benefit both students and faculty, said Juan Franco, vice president for Student Services. “The Living/Learning Community will be a state-of-the-art facility where students can live, learn and socialize, because it will be near the center of campus with easy access to the Taggart Student Center and the academic buildings. It will be the centerpiece of our housing recruitment efforts.”

Andy Hofmeister, assistant director of the Housing Services-Physical Facilities office, said the new living/learning community will re-energize campus by keeping students on campus and close to the Taggart Student Center after classes are over.

“The residents of the new living/learning community will increase the business and energy to the student center and be more involved in events that take place on campus, making it more attractive to students who don’t live in the living/learning community as well,” said Whitney Milligan, assistant director of Residence Halls/Residence Life. “The campus, which usually shuts down after 5 p.m., will have a critical office and community that will be active and alive at all times.”

One of the objectives in building the living/learning community is to focus on the fact that Utah State is not a commuter school, Milligan said.

“Aside from the fact that it will be close to the heart of campus, this style of housing is much more common at other universities and will help to market and appeal to students across the country, as well as their parents,” she said. “Utah State is considered a ‘residential campus,’ and the addition of the new living/learning community will provide valuable residential life on campus, instead of near campus.”

The plans consist of six buildings, five of which will be four-levels that will collectively house 512 students. Aside from bedrooms, each building will contain community kitchens, quiet study space for individuals or groups and lounges with couches and big-screen TVs.

The sixth building will be a community center containing the main office, mail boxes and a larger community space and kitchen. The community center will also give prospective students the opportunity to view life-size models of the different living areas.

“The living space in the new living/learning community has been intentionally designed to provide privacy while, at the same time, promoting important social interactions between roommates, others living in the individual buildings and throughout the community as a whole,” said Milligan. “This factor is vital in the development of younger students who often remain isolated in their apartments.”

Below the center, a 603-car parking structure will be built for use by the housing residents, as well as other students, faculty and Haight Alumni House visitors.

Construction will begin with the demolition of the old steam plant in July. The current parking lot north of the Haight Alumni House will also be removed in order to make room for the new complex.

According to Hofmeister and Milligan, student desires have been well-represented in the process. Planning for this project has also involved Facilities, Residence Life, Housing and Food Services, Parking, Campus Planning, the Department of Facilities and Construction Management of Utah and more.

For more information on the living/learning community, contact Jenson at (435) 797-3266 (steve.jenson@hfs.usu.edu), or Milligan at (435) 797-3123 (whitney@housing.usu.edu). Hofmeister can also be contacted at (435) 797-3447 (andy.hofmeister@hfs.usu.edu).

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Artist´s sketch of new housing center to be built where a steam plant currently exists.