Title: Oberlin Hall - Student Housing
Location of Proejct: Raleigh, NC
Project Completion Date: 12/16/2019
Firm Name:

Short Description: Located on a busy corner lot adjacent to NC State campus in Raleigh, NC, Oberlin Hall aims to integrate with the site and its contexts to provide innovative student housing that incorporates a range of social spaces for residents and the public to interact. Being on the forefront of a progressive campus, the design must express the program, materials, forms and spaces of the architecture to create a building that announces its social and supportive roles. Oberlin Hall animates the spaces to promote flexibility, community, adaptability and personalization of both use and function.

Architect's Statement: The need for affordable housing has become a design problem on the national level. Campus wide surveys conducted by the Food and Housing Security Initiative reveals that over 10% of NC State students surveyed have experienced homelessness within the past year. This is a serious problem that is drastically overlooked and needs to be addressed. Oberlin Hall aims to integrate within its contexts by allowing both the residents and public to utilize the multiple courtyards, outdoor theatre seating and classrooms as well as the food truck parking for game days on the large viewing screen. Lifting the first floor to the highest site level allowed for the addition of resident employed retail, grocery and a pay-it-forward restaurant to engage with the currently blocked off streetscape of Oberlin Road. Directly upon entry it is apparent that Oberlin Hall takes on a strong positive stance in expressing the student supportive programs within and animates these public spaces to facilitate much needed social interaction while destigmatizing affordable and supportive housing. By ascending the large, colorful stair that circulates throughout the building, the residents are given many options of amenities, with ample spaces to relax, study, socialize and interact with one another. Perpendicular to the public community based areas, three stories of micro apartment style dorms are paired with shared kitchens and lounge areas, giving the residents a quieter, more personal home space with views to the courtyard and all activity within the student center beyond. This new typology of student housing gives residents a place to call home while utilizing the programs offered to socialize, gain employment and achieve their dreams.