Caldwell Hall

Nashville, Tennessee

Firm

ESa

Client

Belmont University

Area

270,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$87,000,000

Completion Date

08/2022

Gabe Ford

[close]

Design team
Brandon Keown, Darrell Lambert, Ginny Webb, Macy Harvell, Kylie Davis, Brad Graves

This new, sustainable and high-performance residence hall is designed to meet the needs of a growing university through provision of as many beds as possible, and through adaptability for future pandemics.

The 10-story residence hall will comfortably house 604 students within 162 dwelling units of about 20 varying types. Through creative use of the overlaying zoning, an entire floor of townhouses was created on the 10th/attic floors. The zoning allows 10 floors above grade, and a floor is defined as ”accessible by elevator,” but code allows a walk-up unit (townhouse) with upstairs bedrooms. Precautions for future pandemics are incorporated into the design through two steps. The apartments will have all-private bedrooms, providing effective self-quarantine. Secondly, a grab-and-go food distribution area, fitness facilities, a lounge, laundry facilities and a classroom will be in the basement. These measures will enable the building to be self-contained; on-campus students will be able to participate in virtual learning without leaving the building. A three-story atrium lobby will overlook the basement lounge at the elevated bridge entry.

A collegiate-Tudor exterior, containing brick and stone elements, will be consistent contextually with the established campus architectural language. The initial site selected for the project had constraints that inhibited the maximum number of rooms. ESa’s design team recommended the final site, which provides for an optimal number of beds.