Quick Facts
Size: 34,292 square feet
Beds: Capacity for 60 residents in a variety of one bedroom efficiencies and two- and four-bedroom suites
Amenities: Student Activity Center, Community Kitchen, Fitness Center, Lounge areas, Laundry Facilities
Sustainable Design: Currently Columbia is pursuing a LEED® Silver Certification by installing several energy and water efficiency measures.
Cost: $9.6 Million
See the recent article on the new residence hall in the American Institute of Architects' online publication AIArchitect.
The new graduate student residence hall, now being constructed on a slope adjacent to the athletic field just below Florida Hall, illustrates the extraordinary scope and ambition of our Columbia's intention to transform the seminary's capability to serve Christ's church in the 21st century.
Background
Columbia trustees have worked diligently to discern the most effective investments to modernize expand residences for our students. Simons-Law Dormitory, one of three residence facilities on campus, cannot be renovated efficiently for its current use. Its rooms are below the present standard in higher education. Conditions therefore lead some students to live in more expensive off-campus housing, removing them from the community of on-campus life and adding to the financial cost of their education.
At the seminary's 2007 fall board meeting, Lord Aeck Sargent, project architects, proposed a design for a new graduate student residence hall to provide 60 single bedrooms arranged in one-, two-, and four-room suite settings, providing a variety of flexible configurations depending on student need. The design incorporates several gathering and social spaces, chief among them student life space that will include a community kitchen, recreation, fitness, and outdoor gathering facilities. The layout provides access to these spaces not only for building residents but for the entire student body.
Energy Efficiency
Columbia Seminary's awareness of and institutional commitment to the theology and practice of creation care has been growing for many years. The decision to pursue sustainable design on the new graduate student residence hall was student-initiated, endorsed by faculty, and confirmed by trustees as a key goal of the project.
The design incorporates environmentally friendly materials and energy- and water-efficient systems, including a ground source heat pump with geothermal loop for heating and air conditioning needs.
A sustainable design worthy of Silver LEED® certification is a primary goal of the project. We believe it will be the first such facility in the city of Decatur. Finally, the spacious facilities will encourage more on-campus living, saving students money and reducing student debt.
Budget
Trustees approved a $9.6 million budget for the residence hall and authorized an allocation of $4.5 million from campaign commitments received to date. The Seminary is now approaching individuals, churches, and foundations to fund the remaining $5.1 million needed for the residence hall. Construction is scheduled to begin by summer 2008 and be completed in time for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Other Priorities:
The Campus Plan
The New Academic Building
Endowment for Student Support
Endowment for Faculty and Programs
The Annual Fund