Indian Hills Community College, Oak Hall

Ottumwa, Iowa

Firm

FRK Architects + Engineers

Client

Indian Hills Community College

Area

46,500 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$5,920,000

Completion Date

02/2001

The design of a new residence hall for Indian Hills Community College faced many challenges: an awkward site geography, a need to integrate with existing forestry and a desire to connect with the growing campus community. The steeply sloping site is situated on the edge of a hilly, oak-laden campus. While stepping down the rise, the building honors one special oak tree by framing its 50-foot diameter canopy. In the future, once the tree has completed its life cycle, an artist will carve a totem pole. From this relationship, the building draws its name: Oak Hall.
The traditional college residence hall focuses inward, with common spaces and circulation buried inside. Oak Hall contrasts with the model by focusing externally; like its oak tree mascot, it opens up and reaches out. The main circulation spine is drawn to the front, mirroring the road that passes by and serves as the main artery to the rest of campus. The glass curtainwall facade provides the common areas with beautiful views to the campus, and by night the illuminated interior serves as a beacon to the students who call the building home.