Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: New Residence Hall Building

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 

TOP PHOTOS © CHARLES LERETTE PHOTOGRAPHY, BOTTOM PHOTOS © ROOT PHOTOGRAPHY

Recognized as a leader within the aeronautical world, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, is focused on maintaining its position in the forefront. This is clearly expressed in the development of their campus master plan and the construction of their latest buildings. The most recent example is the New Residence Hall Building, designed by PQH Group of Jacksonville.

The design concept was to create a gateway to the campus core by celebrating the beginning of the new Legacy Walk extension that is a main component of the campus pedestrian fabric. The campus is crisscrossed by a major vehicular artery and a campus perimeter road creating physical barriers that affect campus dynamics and pedestrian flows. As part of an effort to mend this disconnect, the building creates a gateway entrance that collects the pedestrian flow from older dormitories by way of the existing pedestrian bridge. The building wings define a series of exterior amenities and courtyards organized around the new Legacy Walk.

The design challenge was to maximize the architectural opportunities focused on articulating repetitive elements, celebrating the public areas of the program and promoting student congregation and well-being.

The use of stucco, glass and metal responds to a high-tech imagery that has become the theme within the newer campus buildings. The design incorporates the use of these materials and natural lighting to add depth and rhythm to the eight building sections that house 366 residential student units. The common areas are created by bending the building to create articulations that break the length of the hallway and open up exterior views through curtain wall assemblies.

The design intent was to articulate the building configuration and architectural expression to define a building that is a literal and figurative gateway to the campus, reflecting the university’s institutional aspirations and technical focus.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • abstract representation of hybrid learning environment

    The Permanence of Change: Why Hybrid Is the New Baseline

    Hybrid learning is here to stay, and it's reshaping how campus spaces function.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • Houston K–12 District Opens New Elementary School

    The Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (Lamar CISD) recently announced the completion of a new elementary school in a western suburb of Houston, Texas, according to a news release. Haygood Elementary School measures in at 110,000 square feet, has the capacity for 854 students, and is the first of three new schools scheduled to be built in the Cross Creek West community.

  • NWEA Report Recommends K–12 Natural Disaster Recovery Strategies

    The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a K–12 assessment and research organization, recently announced the release of a new playbook for schools and communities recovering from extreme weather events, according to a news release.