University of Delaware
Newark, DE

Completion: 2006
Size: 320,000 gsf
         1,000 new beds replace
         750 existing beds
Pre-design budget: $61 million

This five-acre residential village creates a strong sense of community by removing outdated facilities and building others to enhance student life. The Pencader complex will have three five-story residence halls organized into communities. They all feature semi-suites and common spaces that encourage informal connections. Identity and accessibility are significantly improved with a new pedestrian bridge to the academic core, meaning students and visitors no longer have to maneuver a wooded ravine.

The two-phase project will demolish two existing residence halls and construct two others on sites that bring more appropriate density and scale. The new halls face outdoor open spaces that encourage student interaction and provide much-needed recreation venues, including tennis, sand volleyball, and basketball courts. The sense of place continues with lawns and other outdoor spaces defined by the four residence halls and dining facility.

Demolition will not begin until the new beds are ready for occupancy.