Date Posted: 11.19.2015
Terry and Maple residence halls recently opened for fall quarter, welcoming a new class of freshmen to the University of Washington. The two mixed-use buildings reflect the preference of today’s students for living in vibrant urban villages. They also demonstrate the potential for campus-edge development to help universities accommodate growth and expand connectivity with city neighborhoods.
Mithun Partner Bill LaPatra discusses both student life and urban development perspectives in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce’s Special Section on UW/WSU Campus Construction. Together with the adjacent Lander Hall (completed in 2013), Terry and Maple halls “exemplify land development patterns at urban universities that are changing from a ‘buildings-in-the-green’ pattern to ‘buildings-in-the-city.’” By redeveloping an underutilized block, Mithun helped the university achieve a number of objectives: accommodate growth within a tight footprint, integrate the campus with surrounding neighborhoods, and create housing and amenities that today’s students want.
How do the new residence halls enrich student life in comparison to their mid-century precursors? Located near a new light rail station, Terry and Maple halls feature new bike paths, pedestrian connections and public plazas, increasing connectivity to the city and campus and embracing an urban, walkable setting. New indoor and outdoor spaces including a gaming center, maker space, dining facility, and lounge spaces of various size, create collaborative places for students to learn, live healthily and connect socially.
Click here to read the full story about trends driving campus-edge development and the project’s journey from mid-century dormitory towers to connected live-learn community.
