UNC School of the Arts
Artist Village Residence Hall
Designed as a dynamic residential hub, The Artist Village supports the creative journey of UNC School of the Arts students through thoughtfully crafted living, gathering, and study spaces.
LOCATION Winston-Salem, NC
COMPLETED 2021
SIZE 135,000 SF
PHOTOGRAPHER Inspiro8 Studios
DESIGN PARTNER Ayers Saint Gross
Drawing Connections
The residence hall is organized as two slender bar wings linked by a three-story occupiable bridge that houses the majority of shared social spaces. Situated along the campus Artswalk promenade, the building is oriented to engage both the pedestrian corridor and downtown Winston-Salem. The west wing responds to the site’s sloping topography, while the east wing helps define a welcoming entry plaza. Galleries integrated into the elevator lobbies create dedicated opportunities for students to display and celebrate their work throughout the building.
Design Details
The building’s architecture reflects a deliberate contrast of materials and color. Dark, dimensional fiber cement panels composed of interspersed gray tones define the outward-facing façades, while a lighter palette facing the courtyard creates a distinct sense of place. A prominent campus-facing façade includes anchor points for large-scale signage and changing exhibits. Inside, a simple black-and-white design strategy inspired by the school’s colors provides a backdrop for vibrant accents, with each floor distinguished by its own color for intuitive wayfinding and to reflect the full spectrum of the student experience.