Bowdoin College
Upperclass Housing – Feasibility Study through construction
Higher Education:
Residential Life | Student Services
In an effort to create an inclusive and dynamic residential community that will support the future growth and development of residential life on campus, Bowdoin College engaged Lavallee Brensinger Architects to complete a fast paced feasibility study.
The goals of the steering committee were to:
- Create attractive housing options that support independent, home-like living for juniors and seniors
- Provide single bedroom, group living for 4, 6, and 8 students per apartment
- Increase opportunities for social interaction
- Meet specific site needs and concerns for non-campus neighbors
Site-specific design concepts were developed, addressing: views in and out, parking and site circulation, optimized plumbing fixture to bed ratios, and balancing the desired program components with GSF/bed effectively. These design options create unique spaces that enhance the sense of community at varying scales.
Having successfully met Bowdoin’s three objectives: addressing the goals above, define and control cost, and convincingly present to the board of directors, Lavallee Brensinger Architects was unanimously hired to implement the project.
The team meets and works with town neighborhoods, trustees, Sustainability Implementation Committee, students, and the steering committee in order to continue to develop the project in conjunction with all project constituents.