Nugent Hall - Ikenberry Commons Student Housing

robert benson's experience as design principal at 4240 Architecture

For this third phase of University of Illinois' ongoing housing redevelopment plan, the design team revised the original master plan massing and planning to creating a 102,000 sf building complex that provides more than 340 new beds, a central student welcome area and community zone with large social interaction spaces, flexible classroom and learning laboratory spaces, and direct connection to the exterior commons.

This new residence hall also completes the final phase of facilities designed to integrate students with severe physical disabilities as part of the University's renowned Beckwith program. To this end, the project is designed to go beyond ADA to create universal accessibility for all. As the Beckwith students develop, they can choose to move into rooms in this building and have more direct interaction with their peers in an easily accessible and friendly environment.

The internal planning addresses today's freshman and sophomore students' preferences for double occupancy, semi-private bathrooms, and air conditioned living environments while also providing an environment that supports interaction on different scales. The rooms are clustered into groups of 5 doubles with their own bathroom/shower and student lounge. Larger floor lounges for the each wing is provided for the students to gather and to allow the RA's to bring the students together for meetings and social events. The lounges are placed strategically to bring natural light deep into the interior of the building. The floor to ceiling glazing of these spaces helps bring the interior activity to the exterior further enlivening the commons area.

Exterior + Shell and Core | 4240 Architecture

Interior Design | KSQ Architects