Newswise — Pacific University (Ore.), with the assistance of inici group, has selected the design-build team of Walsh Construction and Mahlum Architects to construct a 200-bed residence hall on the university's Forest Grove Campus.
Last spring, Pacific's Board of Trustees approved a proposal for the new residence hall in response to growing enrollment, and to increase the quality of the campus living experience and learning environment for students.
Karl Schulz, principal, and Patti Miles, senior project manager at inici group, will oversee the project, expected to be completed in time for the 2014 Fall Semester. Construction is slated to begin Oct. 1 and will take place Mondays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 60,000 square foot project will feature a four-story structure on what is currently Reynolds Field, adjacent to the University Center, Price Hall and the Holce Tennis Courts. The new hall will be the third residence constructed at the campus since 2006.
"This exciting development marks an important milestone in the university's history and its future," Pacific University president Lesley Hallick said. "The new residence hall will reflect the university's strong tradition of close-knit community even as the student body continues to expand."
Undergraduate enrollment currently exceeds 1,700 and is expected to grow to 2,000 by the year 2020.
The new residence hall will feature single and double occupancy rooms, as well as small suites and versatile spaces for both indoor and outdoor events. The hall will embody the university's already strong spirit of community through shared kitchens, study spaces and lounge areas.
"The Pacific University experience offers a distinct opportunity for students to work collaboratively with their professors and peers," Hallick said. "Great thought and energy have been invested into the hall's design by Mahlum, Walsh and inici, to create a residence that will foster a strong sense of commonwealth."
Other amenities of the hall will include outdoor patios, an indoor/outdoor fireplace, bicycle parking and environmentally friendly gardens that will capture stormwater runoff for irrigation and reuse.
The exterior landscape will feature a variety of small accent and shade trees in addition to aesthetically pleasing flower beds, shrubs, patio furniture, walkways and bollard fixtures.
As was the case with the university's two newest campus residences, Burlingham (2006) and Gilbert (2008) halls, the new residence will be constructed with energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Mahlum also helped design Burlingham and Gilbert, both of which are LEED-certified.
Walsh Construction built another LEED-certified building at Pacific, Berglund Hall, which opened in 2007 and is home to the colleges of Education and Arts & Sciences, as well as the Berglund Center for Internet Studies.
"After a thorough examination of several strong proposals, we are very pleased that the design-build team of Walsh Construction and Mahlum Architects have agreed to design and execute this important project," Schulz said. "We are confident this new residence hall will help students reach their full potential while at Pacific University."
A groundbreaking event to celebrate the new residence hall will take place at the construction site at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. President Hallick and Mindy Cameron '65, chair of the university's board of trustees, will be among the speakers.
-pacificu.edu-
Founded in 1849, Pacific University (Ore.) is a diverse and sustainable community dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. The university consists of colleges of Arts & Sciences, Optometry, Education, Health Professions and Business, with campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene and Woodburn.
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