The Alumni Residence Hall is the preferred Residence Hall for upper classmen due to the building’s location and the apartment-style layout of the living suites. This project was challenged with creating a posh yet welcoming atmosphere to further enhance student’s perception of the building.

On the exterior, the renovation included the installation of new stairs and rebuilding an ADA ramp. New glass guardrails, illuminated railings and ambient light pavers were used to draw subtle attention to the entrance way.  On the interior, stone and glass panels were used to create a space rich with texture. Light coves were carefully detailed to create a sense of brightness, particularly down the long and narrow corridor that lacks natural light. Integrating new security turnstiles, a larger security desk was one of the College’s primary concerns. The design also needed to accommodate space for iPad check-in for campus life activities. Also included in the scope, was renovating a small, existing restroom to be ADA compliant and gender neutral. As part of the project, the Offices for Residential Life, located adjacent to the lobby, were updated to create a vibrant space reflective of the energetic student-focused community which the office fosters.

This office is a key component to student life on the FIT campus. It supports move-ins, move-outs, provides guidance to students with dormitory issues, dormitory activities and interpersonal life problems that arise. The office needed to be open and inviting, but also it was necessary to provide private spaces with sound attenuation for private and sensitive conversations.

The project was phased into two parts to allow the majority of the disruptive work to occur over the summer. Also, the Residence Hall was fully occupied during the entirety of Construction. Having these restrictions and hard deadlines to meet meant our office played an active and hands-on role during Construction Administration, and was essentially key in ensuring that the spaces were occupiable for the start of the Fall semester.