MSU houses 3,500 students in the residence halls with a student body of over 15,000 students. Approximately 70% of the on-campus population is comprised of freshmen students, with an increasing enrollment, this new residence hall will provide a unique and innovative living option for new students.
The new co-ed residence hall will house 400 freshmen students providing updated and modern amenities for the on-campus population. The design encompasses updated double, single, and semi-suite style room layouts. The new building will also include amenities such as resident meeting spaces, collaborative academic work areas, lounge space, a kitchen area, interior and exterior bike storage and a bike maintenance room. Residence Life has broken ground on the new hall and will open for new students for the Fall 2016 semester! (From MSU Residence Life webpage, June 12, 2015)
SMA is working with Montana State University on the new four hundred bed freshman residence hall (targeting LEED Silver) in Bozeman, MT. Using a concept of "front door, back yard," SMA is creating an outdoor space to be used by all of the residents in the area. Interior spaces provide both active and quiet areas, including a fireplace, shared kitchen and laundry. The first floor connects to outdoor spaces such as a patio and exterior gathering areas, and the building and site design encourages biking by providing special storage, a bike repair room, and covered areas. Design is focused on educating residents about sustainable technologies by creating a sustainable community rather than merely a sustainable building. (From SMA Architects website, June 12, 2015)