News Release
College’s growth continues with residence hall groundbreaking
June 4, 2009
Chancellor Madlyn L. Hanes
Penn State Harrisburg marked another celebration of its growth today (June 4) with groundbreaking ceremonies for construction of a 100-bed student residence hall on campus.
The 30,000-square-foot, four-story, $10 million project to serve first-year students, designed by the architectural firm of SMP Architects of Philadelphia, was approved by the University’s Board of Trustees at its March 20 meeting. With Poole Anderson Construction managing the project, the residence hall is expected to be completed by the fall 2010 semester and will increase the number of students housed on campus to 430.
Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor Madlyn L. Hanes commented at the groundbreaking, “The new student housing construction underscores the University’s commitment to provide quality education in a safe, comfortable, state-of-the-art environment. With great excitement and confidence in the future of our growing college, we turn symbolic spades of earth today, and, in reality, plant more seeds of campus growth and academic success for the next generation of students.”
Also speaking at the groundbreaking was Penn State Harrisburg Board of Advisers Chair Christine Sears and Director of Housing and Food Services for Commonwealth Campuses Chris Hurley. They were joined for the ceremonial shoveling by: Greg Scott, director of commonwealth services, Office of Physical Plant; Gordon Turow, director of campus planning and design; David aide, principal, SMP Architects; Richard Lawrence, project manager, Poole Anderson Construction; David Zehngut, University architect; Douglas Wenger, director, project planning and development, Poole Anderson; and Todd Woodward, SMP Architects.
In keeping with the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the project is planned to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified and considers energy efficiency. With floor plans on the second, third, and fourth floors identical, the new residence hall is not simply a dormitory. The primary guiding principle of the design is the grouping of student rooms around community spaces that will encourage student interaction.
Each group of student rooms includes four double suites with shared bathrooms for a total of 16 students and four bathrooms per grouping. Each floor consists of two groupings with a study area and lounge in the center.
The new residence hall, the adjacent Student Community Center, and existing student apartments will frame a new exterior quad which will include new walkways connecting all buildings. The facility’s look will mirror the housing constructed in 2002 and 2005. The entire complex is conveniently located close to the library, academic core of campus, and recreation facilities.
The first floor main entrance will lead to a reception desk and sitting area. Also included on that level are a housing office, two-bedroom staff apartment, mechanical rooms, laundry, and building storage. The facility is also serviced by an elevator.
Penn State Harrisburg’s growth in the past decade has been highlighted by the construction of a 115,000-square-foot technology enhanced library, new student apartment-style housing for 332, Ziegler Commons, the Hoverter Tennis Complex, an expanded food court and town square, an indoor aquatics center, and a new baseball field.
To see pictures from the Groundbreaking, click here.