This new 115,000 SF residence hall for the emerging young artists at UNC School of the Arts provides 448 beds in a mix of single and double suites. The vibrant, supportive environment for undergraduate students features active common spaces on each floor, with amenities including full kitchens, study rooms, onsite laundry facilities, and lounges for events and socializing. Two slender bar wings are connected by a three-level bridge with windows on either side; the occupiable bridge houses the majority of the shared social space on each floor. Each student suite includes two bedrooms, a shared restroom, and common space.

The site abuts the Artswalk promenade that runs through campus, and the buildings are oriented to interact with both the Artswalk and downtown Winston-Salem. The west wing is built into the sloped topography, and the east wing is canted to define the entry plaza. Galleries built into the two elevator lobbies provide dedicated areas for showcasing student work.

The duality of the exterior materials palette draws from the contrasting façade colors and textures. Dark, dimensional fiber cement panels composed of interspersed dark and light gray panels cover the outward-facing facades, while homogenous light white panels face the courtyard. Anchor points on a prominent campus-facing façade will allow large-scale scale signage to be easily displayed and changed out for school exhibits and events.

The school colors are black and white, and the simple interior strategy of white walls and black accents allows strategic color accents to pop. The interior design integrated different colors on each floor for wayfinding to embrace the full “spectrum” of student experience.

Associate Architect: Ayers Saint Gross