Purchase College-State University of New York, New 300-Bed Residence Hall

Purchase, New York

Firm

Einhorn Yaffee Prescott, Architecture & Engineering

Client

Purchase College-State University of New York

Area

96,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$22,000,000

Completion Date

08/2006

The new 300-bed residence hall has raised Purchase College’s housing population to about 2,600 beds. The 96,000-square-foot, four-story brick building includes an entry courtyard and outdoor terrace. The first floor of the building is mixed use and contains 10,000 square feet of retail space, offices, classrooms and a common room used for campuswide functions and instructional space.

The construction of the new residence hall is the first phase in the development of a campus “commons.” The commons will be the setting for campuswide programs attracting students, faculty and surrounding community and will create a sense of arrival to the campus. The challenge for the architect was to design a residence hall to serve as housing and a public gathering place to promote interaction beyond the classroom.

The upper three floors are residential double-stack corridors; each room contains two beds, wardrobe closets and a bathroom. Each wing is arranged to function as a learning community. There is housing for a residence coordinator, faculty/staff apartments, and shared space for a study and social lounge.