Minnesota State University, Mankato
New Residence Hall
Mankato, MN

Completion: 2008
Size: 156,000 gsf
         608 beds
Cost: $31,717,000

Ayers/Saint/Gross worked with the Minnesota State University, Mankato and the MNSCU stakeholders to scope and site this project. Utilizing ASG’s master planning expertise, a better site than the University imagined was found. Students will now reside close to other student residence halls, adjacent to the newly renovated and expanded student center, further defining a student life quadrangle.

Ayers/Saint/Gross, the Design Architect in association with Bentz/Milo/Rietow, Inc, the Architect-of-Record, has been selected by the University to design the new residence hall. The hall will contain 608 beds in a mix of semi-suite double and single units. Units shall have two sleeping rooms with one compartment style bath.

This residence hall complex is proposed to have two 4 story residence halls with common areas at all levels. Each residence hall has 2 RA communities per floor, for a total of 4 per floor, per complex. The building’s plan configuration purposefully defines outdoor gathering areas to encourage community building between the various RA communities. Several sustainable principles are incorporated in the design of this project such as maximized daylight in all rooms, stormwater management and no parking to encourage a ‘walking campus’.

A portion of the ground floor is dedicated to enhancing the student life experience. Spaces provided include multi-purpose classrooms, student lounge, grab and go food service with a dedicated seating area. Two 2 bedroom residence hall directors’ apartments are located on the ground floor as well as dedicated office space for their use.