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Hester College Renovation

Murray State University
LEED Certified
New Welcoming Lobby Encourages Interaction 

New Welcoming Lobby Encourages Interaction

Project Photos

Project Details

Focus On Encouraging Interaction

Hester Residential College is a 9-story, 309 bed concrete and masonry residence hall constructed in the 1960’s. Other than required maintenance, little had been done to the facility, making finishes and systems obsolete, functional spaces outdated, and energy efficiency poor.

From working closely with MSU’s Housing and Residence Life staff and Facilities Design and Construction Division, the design solution focused on embracing MSU’s Residential College mission of “encouraging interaction between faculty, staff and residential students, involvement in campus activities, academic success and personal growth.”

By reducing the number of beds, additional common spaces were created; including individual and group study areas as well as recreational opportunities. Student rooms were modernized, as well as all service and support facilities to better develop a greater campus community.

The new formal and welcoming entry encourages interaction for both small and large group activities. The new entry also allows the staff intentional but “natural” observation and control of students and guests as they move about the facility.

New mechanical and electrical system upgrades increasing function and energy conservation, offer energy efficient lighting and controls to meet the needs of today’s students and to achieve the targeted LEED® certification. To further increase the building’s energy efficiency, exterior window systems were replaced.