Dordt College’s newest residence hall, Kuyper Apartments, welcomed its first residents in 2010. The 64,000-square-foot, $12 million hall embraces fundamental principles of environmentally responsible design, incorporating geothermal heating and cooling, energy efficient lighting, and locally sourced materials. Designed to meet the needs of upperclassmen, the hall provides 32 apartment-style units accommodating six students each. The three-bedroom apartments feature open kitchens and living rooms with expansive prairie views. Study suites, laundry rooms, and a meditation space provide additional shared amenities. The 5000-square-foot, two-story community space in Kuyper Apartments features a prominent floor-to-ceiling fireplace that anchors the room. This gathering area also houses a performance space with lighting and sound systems, as well as a student-run coffee shop. The mezzanine serves as a living-learning classroom during the day, while providing extra seating or meeting space during the evening.
CREDITS
Project Team: Bradford Angelini- Partner-in-Charge, Theresa Angelini- Partner, Kelly O’Doherty- Project Architect, Donald MacDonald- Project Designer, Denise M. Close- Architect
Contractor: Hoogendoorn Construction, Inc.
Structural Engineer: SDI – Structural Design Incorporated
MEP Engineer: EDA – Engineering Design Associates
Civil Engineer: DGR – DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company
Photography: Jeff Garland