Collegiate Residence Hall

Kansas City, MO

Situated on the northeastern edge of campus in one of the last remaining open spaces, the new Avila University Residence Hall is an “L” shaped, 37,000 SF building which borders a previously remote parking lot - increasing safety and security for students and their cars. The three-story, 21-suite all brick building houses 104 bedrooms. Built on a sloping site, the main entrance and common open space faces the parking lot while an upper level entrance at the building’s end provides level access to the campus circulation loop. A natural buffer between the building and the adjacent residential streets created a generous, park-like setting and space for a water feature amenity.  The building configuration anticipates a future addition that will further enhance the relationship between the building and the site’s open space.

The first floor includes a generous entry vestibule; lobby space with room for an information desk and flexible use space; alcoves; a large, sun-lit sunken living room with park-like views; a large, flexible office space; a meeting room; common laundry; mail facilities; a project room, and media room. Both the second and third floors have generous, free-form, flexible use common areas adjacent to the central elevators; smaller seating pockets, and large bay-window alcoves for group meetings or study.

Through extensive dialogue, a new model emerged building on the philosophy of promoting campus community - bundling five bedrooms in one suite with a small common area and a single restroom which can accommodate up to seven people. The bedrooms contain a single bed or double-bunked beds with a desk and a closet for two. Private bathrooms are each equipped with a sink, generous counter space, showers and water closet (situated to allow for multiple use while maintaining privacy), flexible use storage shelving and a second counter area. Each suite’s central common area serves as a gathering space with soft lounge chairs, tables and/or desks allowing it to be used for study, socializing, eating or watching the wall-hung flat screen TV.