University of Arizona 6th Street Residence Halls
The University of Arizona's primary goal for residence hall projects is to create a strong sense of community for incoming students, beginning with an interactive relationship between buildings and open spaces. For the 6th Street Residence Hall project, sustainable design strategies included blending indoor and outdoor functions in common areas, reuse of hardscape materials, water harvesting, and the use of native Sonoran Desert plant species. WDG developed planting, hardscape and irrigation plans from concept through construction document phases. The team also prepared LEED calculations and provided construction administration services.
People are at the forefront of design objectives for residence hall projects. Adequate circulation is key in order to support the masses of students and faculty transitioning through campus during busy daytime hours. Larger gathering spaces are essential for University programming and events, and also function as comfortable spaces to meet with peers or take a break.