Sea Gull Square, Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD
CLIENT
Rinner Development / Salisbury University
STATUS
Completed August 2011
LEED
Pre-Certified LEED-NC Silver
SERVICES
Architecture, Interiors
more
Program

130,000-sf, 605-bed, mixed-use student housing complex with seminar rooms and a classroom.  Site includes 23,000-sf of ground-floor retail space surrounding a "village green,” and 5,000-sf of  community space.  LEED-Silver Certification. 

Description

When the University recognized a need for new student housing, they identified a significant campus-edge site that was dilapidated. While the University’s profile had grown in recent years, it recognized that improving this neglected corner of campus was vital to its emerging recognition as a university of national distinction. The University’s vision was a mixed-use “Main Street” concept that would create a dynamic link between the campus and the community. The project also would increase residential capacity for the university and add a number of "living-learning" spaces and amenities.

Sea Gull Square reflects the University's Georgian architecture yet addresses contemporary program needs for retail and active student life. The design concept is based on traditional campus planning principles including the creation of significant outdoor spaces. The S-shaped building creates two courtyards, with the main courtyard designed as a town square facing the community.

Taking advantage of the site’s proximity to the Salisbury community, it was imperative that it become a gateway to the University. The concept for the retail was to serve the students as well as the community with multiple dining options, a coffee shop, convenience store, and other similar small retail options. Conceived as a meeting ground between "town" and "gown," the square welcomes students, faculty, university staff, and visitors with the main-street style restaurant and retail space. Outdoor cafe seating, a central fountain and a dramatically-lit clock tower create a civic-minded space to be shared by the University and greater Salisbury community.

An arcade beneath the clock tower provides entry to the student housing lobby, and connects the commercial square with the grassy quad beyond. The west porch is graced by 12-foot Tuscan columns, and opens onto a spacious patio overlooking the quad. A free-standing pavilion was designed in the open space that echoes the architecture of the main building and provides functional space for special events.

The student housing portion of the project is primarily composed of 4-bedroom apartments with two bathrooms, with some 4-bedroom 4-bathroom, and 2-bedroom 2-bathrrom units. The furnished apartments feature private bedrooms with full-sized beds, living and dining areas, full kitchens and in-unit laundry facilities. These units are supported by large community rooms and smaller lounges. The central elevator core runs through the landmark clock tower with bay windows connecting the elevator lobbies with views of the town square. The floor lounges are adjacent to these elevator lobbies, providing a central hub of activity and fostering the concept of community. The building also offers a number of living-learning environments, including seminar and multipurpose rooms, as well as fitness amenities.

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