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March 27, 2009, 02:29 PM ET
Student Housing at Claremont McKenna College Blends Outside With Inside
Not Square: Claremont McKenna College’s award-winning residences were designed by CO Architects. (Photo by Paul Turang)
Student housing at Claremont McKenna College has won a 2009 design award from the magazine Residential Architect.
(Photo by Farshid Assassi)
The housing was designed by CO Architects. The designers say that in creating the residences, they tried to exploit the best aspects of the Southern California climate by setting the buildings around courtyards that blur the distinction between inside and outside spaces. The living areas are arranged in “social units” that encourage students to congregate in common areas and on balconies.
The architects also say they imitated building techniques that have been used in Mediterranean climates for ages. The buildings have a kind of cubist aesthetic, with staggered, operable windows and angled forms. The concrete walls are clad in stucco, which the architects say creates a “smooth stretched fabric” look. The thermal mass of the buildings’ walls helped earn a silver rating in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, but the buildings also feature drought-tolerant landscaping and water-efficient plumbing.
The residences, at 36,000 square feet, accommodate 110 beds in 33 single rooms and 38 double rooms. They cost $14-million.
Courtyards between the buildings draw people in — and out. (Photo by Farshid Assassi)
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