Tulane University River Hall & Lake Hall | 2023

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Architects: EskewDumezRipple
General Contractor: The Domain Companies
Client: Tulane University
Photographers: Timothy Hursley and Jason Cohen

A new construction, seven-story, 230,000 sq. ft. residence hall expansion for Tulane University, this project will serve as the first phase in the university’s plan to revitalize housing campus-wide, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to both student living and environmental responsibility. Combining a glazed, ground-floor public space with student residences on the upper floors, the project simultaneously holds a large co-study space, residence life offices, and lecture hall.

The project is organized around two adjacent wings, which will serve as separate functioning residence halls, but connected via a raised courtyard space on the second floor, intended for socialization and casual student recreation. In this same vein, rather than disperse smaller student lounges across floors, each wing is designed around several large, double-height lounges.

The glazed, ground-floor public spaces lend a sense of openness and Transparency to the project, while on the upper floors, the façade features a modern reinterpretation of Tulane’s longstanding tradition of red-brick dormitories. Each wing maintains a carefully orchestrated brick pattern and texture, providing a unique identify for each within a holistic campus aesthetic. Capturing this social energy of change, of transition, while still providing a spiritual center for students is the underlying crux of the project. Interiors within take cues from the ephemeral nature of student life, celebrating this notion directly through a well-understood corollary—the seasons of spring and fall.

The two seasons are utilized throughout as interpretive vehicles to shape the interiors. Spring features warm, clear coated oak detailing and Fall a darker walnut. In Spring, lighter colors take precedence in comparison to the rich, autumnal hues of Fall. Furniture selections extend this metaphor, with the Spring dormitories maintaining thin, airy pieces, with white-backed seating, and Fall featuring overstuffed sofas, heavier sculptural tables, knit textures, and touches of brass elements.

Among the many innovative spaces within these residences, the auditorium especially fosters a sense of community, creativity, and connection. It does not function solely for lectures or presentations; it is a dynamic, versatile environment that can be easily transformed to accommodate a variety of events. The auditorium space encourages collaboration, learning, and the celebration of student talents. Beyond the interior spaces, River Hall and Lake Hall also offer outdoor areas that seamlessly integrate with the natural beauty of Tulane's campus. These outdoor areas are extensions of the living experience.

Here, students can unwind, study, or socialize, surrounded by natural environments. Whether it's a quiet afternoon reading under the shade of a tree or a lively outdoor event, our patios and outside spaces foster a sense of community and well-being, contributing to the holistic student experience. These new residences exemplify a commitment to encourage personal growth and connection with the Tulane campus. In the pursuit of optimizing costs and sustainability, our team conducted a thorough 15- and 30-year Life Cycle Analysis focusing on building envelope and HVAC system options during the goal-setting kickoff with the client.

The analysis showed that the option that had the lowest annual energy cost and lowest life cycle cost was actually $5M cheaper in first cost than the system that client had assumed they preferred. In summary, after comparing HVAC systems, our analysis demonstrated that the most cost-effective option, in terms of both annual energy and life cycle costs, not only met LEED Gold certification standards, but also exceeded performance standards for both LEED v4 and v4.1. This strategic approach ensures a balance between initial investment and long-term benefits while aligning with Tulane's sustainability goals.