Location: Whiting, Indiana

Completion Date: 2022

Project Size: 16,500 sf

Bed Count: 63 Beds

Project Description

The new residence hall at Calumet College of St. Joseph marked a historic milestone as the school’s inaugural on-campus housing project. The first of four planned buildings for phased development, the residence hall creates an anchor for a student residence node as the college continues to see increased enrollment.

CONCEPT Organization

The three-story building offers double occupancy dorm-style units, complemented by diverse common areas on each floor, providing spaces for student gatherings and study sessions. Located in Whiting Indiana, an historically industrial area with BP refineries, Indiana Harbor company, and Cokenergy, the design is meticulously crafted to seamlessly blend into the surrounding neighborhood, while offering contemporary materials, modern lines, and a residential scale. The exterior is made from local brick and composite panels - made out of a mixture of rice husks, common salt and mineral oil, the cladding contains no wood at all; instead, it makes use of an abundant by-product of rice farming. Thus, the material selection do not contribute to deforestation.

The design carries these architectural gestures through into the interior. A double-height lobby features strong vertical lines using recycled wood from a nearby lumberyard. Colors and patterns abound, serving as wayfinding devices for each floor. While a compact footprint, the building makes bold statements about how living on small campuses can make big impacts.