University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Residence Hall

Architectural firm EUA worked with the state of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin–Whitewater to design a residence hall for first-year students. The university’s Centers for Students with Disabilities played an integral role in the design phase to ensure the building was universally designed and accessible.

University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Residence Hall 

Photo © C&N Photography, LLC

Universal design is an integral part of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s culture. EUA’s in-house accessibility expert worked closely with campus representatives to provide an accessible environment that goes beyond code minimums to create integrated, inclusive spaces for students of all abilities. Enhanced accessible rooms allow for people that have additional disabilities to have a caretaker live in with them so that they can still live in an environment with other students.

University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Residence Hall 

Photo © C&N Photography, LLC

The five-story, 400-student residence hall consists of housing areas arranged in pods. The pod arrangement contains two double-occupant bedrooms and a bathroom accessed from a shared entry space. This provides students with an option for more privacy than the other traditional dorms on campus that have centralized multi-occupant bathrooms.

University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Residence Hall 

Photo © C&N Photography, LLC

Each floor also has a communal kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave. Upper floors include centralized lounge spaces that support the formation of community. The first floor includes a computer lab, study and multipurpose rooms, a full kitchen and laundry room, along with a front desk and lobby area. These common areas encourage students to get out of their rooms, help with social development and connect with other students.

University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Residence Hall 

Photo © C&N Photography, LLC

University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Residence Hall 

Photo © C&N Photography, LLC

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2020 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Full Sail University Announces First Student Housing Facility

    Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., recently announced that development has begun on its first student housing community, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Nvision Development for construction and long-term management of the facility, which will stand five stories and have the capacity for more than 570 beds.

  • Construction Begins on New University Research Vessel

    Boat-building company All American Marine recently announced that it has begun construction on a new catamaran research vessel for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) in Port Aransas, Texas, according to a news release.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.