KWK Architects and ADG Architects recently completed work on Headington and Dunham residential colleges at the University of Oklahoma. The $75 million residential colleges are the first on the Norman, Okla., campus.
Headington and Dunham are designed as living/learning spaces to provide students with a sense of community and identity within the larger university. Before construction began, students were surveyed to determine optimal rental prices, unit sizes, room configurations, and desired amenities.
Each building features a faculty master apartment and office, dormitories, private parking, seminar/conference rooms, lounges, study areas, libraries, and dining rooms.
“The residential floors must offer a wide variety of room types that are enticing for freshman as well as upperclassmen to increase retention and engagement with the residential college," says Paul Wuennenberg, AIA, LEED APA, Principal, KWK Architects, in a release.
The buildings are connected by a communal dining area and storm shelter. Each residential college has its own motto, colors, crest, and athletic teams. The Cherokee Gothic style, featured on several other buildings across the campus, influenced the architectural design.
The university's most recent semester opened with 600 upperclassmen, 300 in each building. A dedication ceremony was held on Oct. 11.
Related Stories
University Buildings | Aug 9, 2018
First innovation building on the master planned UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park breaks ground
The building is the first of many planned for the 122-acre campus.
University Buildings | Aug 6, 2018
Academic honors: The importance of residence halls
Three recent projects demonstrate the dynamic role residence halls are playing on America’s college and university campuses.
University Buildings | Jul 30, 2018
University trends 2018: Schools are desperately searching for ways to economize
Though the U.S. economy is strong with investment gains buoying endowments, colleges and universities face pressures to economize and stretch their capital budgets.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 13, 2018
Student housing vs. multifamily housing—what are the differences?
While student and multi-family housing share a common building form, it’s the student resident that drives the innovation of new spaces.
University Buildings | Jul 11, 2018
Sac State’s new science complex and planetarium nears completion
CO Architects designed the facility.
University Buildings | Jul 5, 2018
Brown University’s Engineering Research Center increases the university’s School of Engineering lab space by 30%
KieranTimberlake designed the facility and Shawmut Design and Construction was the general contractor.
University Buildings | Jul 2, 2018
Columbus State Community College’s new hospitality management and culinary arts building breaks ground
DesignGroup is the architect for the project.
University Buildings | Jun 25, 2018
Virginia Commonwealth has at least three major expansion projects under construction
New buildings for outpatient care, engineering, and rehabilitation of serious injuries and debilities are scheduled to be completed in 2020.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.
University Buildings | May 22, 2018
NC State University’s transparent engineering building has ‘engineering on display’ around every corner
Clark Nexsen designed the new building.