COLUMBIA, SC – Doug Quackenbush, President of Quackenbush Architects + Planners, presented at the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) Conference in Orlando, Florida on June 30th . Doug participated on a panel that included the Director of Housing at Coastal Carolina University Stephen Harrison, and representatives from Mackey Mitchell Architects- Merrilee Hertlein and Kyle Wagner.

The ACUHO-I has more than 1,000 member campuses, as well as more than 250 product and service providers, all dedicated to creating educational and enriching residential experiences on campuses around the world. ACUHO-I empowers these efforts through informative events and programs, invaluable resources, and an invigorating professional network.

The presentation, entitled “Coastal Connections: Relationships between People and Place at Coastal Carolina University,” was based on the project team’s experience planning and designing a new student housing neighborhood for 1,270 students.  The primary focus was on three learning outcomes: how to physical and socially connect a site on the fringe of campus; how to involve stakeholders in the design process and strengthen departmental relationships; and how to introduce concepts for branding the residences which galvanize relationships between the students, the campus and the region.  Participants were able to ask questions via Twitter and the hashtag #CCUConnect throughout the presentation.

Phases I and II of the new student residence halls are currently under construction with two of the buildings set to open this fall for students.  Four residence halls will house 1,270 students in communities ranging from 36 to 40 beds per resident assistant. Each RA community includes four “community suites” grouped around a common social space. In addition, each building has its own community wing with a large lounge, laundry, multi-purpose room, RD office and apartment, workrooms, and recycling center. The main community building (the “head house”) will include several additional community assets, including multi-purpose rooms, large conference room, Residential Life office suite, RHA workroom, convenience store, kitchen, and two additional staff apartments. The exterior character of the design will feature the traditional southern classical language on campus, comprised of masonry veneer, white trim accents, insulated glazing, and roof shingles- all chosen with consideration towards sustainability. Site amenities such as a new pavilion and recreational areas are also planned for the community.

Read more about the project here.  See construction progress on the new student housing here.

- See more at: http://www.quackenbusharchitects.com/news/quackenbush-presents-international-conference/#sthash.tPlNqChc.dpuf