University Residence Halls Achieve LEED Gold

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has been notified its Village at Alpine Valley residence halls were awarded LEED Gold certification. Page also designed the associated Roaring Fork dining facility, which is part of the same student social hub, to achieve LEED Gold as well. That certification is expected to be confirmed in the spring of 2018.

The project was part of a long-range UCCS campus strategy to accommodate recent growth in enrollment, particularly first year student housing. The Village at Alpine Valley was designed to provide daily student services throughout a nine acre site, including residential, dining, classrooms, recreational and social spaces while integrating three existing residence halls into a cohesive ensemble.

Due to the challenging site which slopes drastically in all directions, design studies were critical to site all five structures that would capture and frame views while accommodating universal access, storm water and fire lane requirements. To resolve the need for space, additional floors were added to two of the buildings, thus reducing the impermeable footprint.

The design supported the University’s desire for durable and maintainable materials in these high-use facilities including natural stone, which was chosen as a sympathetic response to the adjacent Austin Bluffs and Rocky Mountains setting which defines UCCS as a truly unique campus within the state. Sustainable landscaping further links the project with its surroundings.

Walkability is encouraged through the use of open spaces and pedestrian circulation. Floor lounges and study alcoves on each level of the residence hall were designed to take advantage of daylighting – and the outstanding views of Pikes Peak and Pulpit Rock.  

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