UO Next Generation Housing Development Plan - Residence 1

Eugene, OR

In collaboration with Mithūn.

The UO Next Generation Housing Plan, which guides on-campus housing at the University of Oregon for the next twenty years, identified the site south of Kalapuya Ilihi as a viable location for the first phase of development. The new 7-story residence hall provides over 850 beds for students and introduces new dining options on campus.

The 222,000 sf residence hall draws from the campus tradition of brick. The brick bond patterns and changes of plane details help lighten and add variety to the north, west, and south façades while tying into the adjacent University architecture and extending the campus character to the southeastern edge of campus. On the ground floor, brick pilasters and expressed corbelling frame openings. Wood canopies offer a warm welcome at entries. On the east and south façades, canopies cover outdoor seating for the dining venues within.

The east façade, where the main entry to the dining occurs, activates Moss Street through its generous canopy and ground floor glass curtain wall. The liveliness of the three unique dining venues, with their indoor and outdoor seating, will be on display from the street. The east façade presents a different expression than the rest of the building. Bookended with brick on both sides, the façade opens itself to a conversation with a future phase. Student lounge “lanterns” mark corners and reveal student life. 

Playful metal paneling, with university-themed accent colors framing windows, enliven interior light-well courtyards.These light wells bring daylight to each unit through generously sized windows. The residential wings of the building are separated by a central lounge that also serves as a lantern with glazing. Bridging the north and south bars of the upper floors of the building, the lounges are conveniently located by elevators and a central stair, as well as by a laundry room and two focus rooms.

On the ground floor, in addition to dining, the new residence hall contains a Learning Commons, music rooms, a community kitchen, and Academic Residential Communities (ARCs) and offices. The Learning Commons is characterized by a warm curved soffit, wood paneling, and carpet tile that evokes dappled light.

The new residence hall is currently under construction with an anticipated opening fall of 2027. It is on track to receive LEED Gold Certification.

Renderings by Rowell Brokaw, Mithūn, and Brick Visual.