comment
New Student Union, ASU
Polytechnic Campus
Atwater Commons
Hamilton Village Towers,
University of Pennsylvania
Kenyon Athletic Center
Original Student Center
Expansion
The Warehouse
Tangeman University Center
University of Chicago, Graduate School of
Business
University Center of Lake
County
Westminster Theatre & Cultural Center
and Coastline Community College Learning CenterAlice Paul Residence Hall
A new residence hall reflects Quaker minimalism and reinforces college mentoring.
This 75-bed residence hall establishes a new academic community at the front end of Parrish Lawn, Swarthmore’s iconic open space facing town. At 30,000 square feet, Alice Paul Hall, the first phase of a two-building project centered on a three-sided courtyard (Phase II with another 75 beds), is currently under construction.
Based on what you have seen and read about this project, how would you grade it? Use the stars below to indicate your assessment, five stars being the highest rating.
The elemental massing and taut stone skin of the new building embody the minimalist values of this Quaker institution, providing a boldly contemporary form which feels at home on this historic campus. This building extends Swarthmore’s stone tradition beyond the local rubble “schist” by employing a similarly colored but denser Swiss “quartzite,” which is diamond cut to reveal its highly variegated texture.
This building was designed to create a strong sense of community, supporting Swarthmore’s rigorous academic mission. Departing from national trends toward increased privacy within suites or apartments, this building incorporates a new prototype for a residential floor, combining four different-sized singles and doubles. This carefully calibrated mix of room types (including two-story duplex rooms overlooking a green roof) ensures that each floor will house students from all classes, reinforcing Swarthmore’s mentoring traditions. The building further supports an active hall life with wide corridors filled with natural light and hall lounges on each floor.
Formal name of project: Alice Paul Residence Hall
Location: Swarthmore PA
Gross square footage: 29,900 gsq.ft.
Completion Date: August 2004
Total construction cost: $8.9 Million
Owner: Swarthmore College
Architect:
William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.
10 Post Office Square, Suite 1010
Boston, MA 02109
Tel. 617.423.3470
Fax 617.451.9205
www.rawnarch.com/
Video
Sign in to Comment
To write a comment about this story, please sign in. If this is your first time commenting on this site, you will be required to fill out a brief registration form. Your public username will be the beginning of the email address that you enter into the form (everything before the @ symbol). Other than that, none of the information that you enter will be publically displayed.