University Of Rochester Residence Hall Integrates STEM-Focused Facilities; Construction Starts Summer

The University of Rochester schedules the start of the construction of a 72,000 square foot residence hall this summer. The university claims that the building is planned to open on the Rochester, New York campus by 2017 and has been designed to shelter 151 first year students. Also, academic, athletic, and student life will be integrated into the residence hall.

The University of Rochester Residence hall's main level will focus on dedicating academic and student life services. The facility includes meeting rooms for workshops, student groups, and offices for health professionals, including career, academic, fellowship and STEM advising purposes.

Its top four areas will be used as residential space with an option of single and double rooms. Lounges located in the four residential areas will have windows that are ceiling high in order to maximize the sunlight available, University of Rochester Newsroom reported.

The STEM focused facilities are near completion at the University of Connecticut. At the University of Vermont, they are in the process of constructing their own housing for first year student, and the Marquette University is planning to build a student housing project amounting to $96 million.

The field level of the building will have varsity locker rooms for men and women's athletic teams. Also, there will be sports medicine and team equipment rooms at the same level.

Dean of the College of Arts, Science and Engineering, Richard Feldman, said that the academic and student services in the residence hall will help the university support students in ways that fits the student's lifestyle by adding evening and weekend hours to the offices. Adding the residence hall will also help free spaces for upperclassman in the housing system, helping the university attain their goal of over 80 percent of their students housing on campus, American School & University Magazine reported.

The University of Rochester Residence Hall project is designed to meet the LEED certification for landscaping, operations and sustainable construction. Ayers Saint Gross designed the residence hall, while The Pike Company along with SWBR Architects are the building team.