Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Miami University: Beechwoods, Stonebridge and Hillcrest Residential Halls

  • 02/01/15
Miami University

PHOTOS © SAM FENTRESS

Residential life has long been a major part of Miami University’s history, culture and educational mission. Beechwoods, Stonebridge and Hillcrest residence halls, approximately 74,000 square feet each, have recently debuted on the Western campus in Oxford, OH. These three high-profile buildings, each with its own identity and personality, provide the university with 720 new beds. As the result of a design-build competition, the team of Mackey Mitchell Architects — with Whiting-Turner contractors and local architect-of-record CR Architects — was chosen to create this residential community defined by simplicity and elegance. This was the first university project of its kind to be completed under a design-build delivery method.

A major design challenge was to respect the university’s traditional architecture yet create something new and timeless that would take the campus architecture to the next level. To meet a fast-track project schedule, an efficient decision-making process was required to meet the design competition’s demanding six-week time frame. To expedite the design process, the team facilitated “temperature taking” exercises which helped the client understand the visual development process and provide the design team with a vision for the residence hall’s new look.

While the main campus is formal, the Western campus is more pastoral and organic in its setting with bridges and walkways designed to improve pedestrian flow. The structures are sited to tie together all active community locations. Each building’s common areas feature large expanses of glass, bringing the indoor and outdoor environments together with light, views and activity. Because of the project’s success, the design team has been commissioned to work with the university on the renovation of four existing residence halls, the Martin Dining Facility within the North Quad, and a campus residential life plan.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Esports are Growing in Popularity

    Video games and esports are a popular social hobby, and it’s one that’s accessible to a wide variety of physical ability levels. Some esport student-athletes have started to earn scholarship opportunities, and high schools are beginning to form teams equipped with the same degree of resources as their physical sports teams. However, the two have very different needs.

  • Minnesota District Completes Renovations to 3 Schools

    South Washington County Schools in Woodbury, Minn., recently completed major renovation projects to three of its schools, according to a news release. The district partnered with Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and the upgrades were part of a larger referendum that voters approved in fall 2024.

  • Western Kentucky University Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project

    Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Ky., recently broke ground on the first phase of a $350-million student housing initiative, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Gilbane Development through a public-private partnership (P3) to replace aging residence halls and modernize on-campus living accommodations.