Redefining student housing to streamline and improve life on campus
University at Buffalo Student Housing Master Plan
Sasaki is currently completing a student housing master plan for the University at Buffalo focused on their undergraduate and graduate student populations. The main goal of this plan is to increase the quality and quantity of on-campus housing through the identification of critical maintenance and high value improvements to the current housing buildings, and then accommodating these identified residential demand areas with phased implementation. Additionally, the plan focuses on enhancing the student community through the introduction of social spaces and pedestrian connections between residences the North Campus academic spine.
These improvements were necessitated by a need to align the undergraduate and certain graduate student housing populations with the academic programs that are anchored on North Campus. Sasaki created two distinct concepts for North Campus; a diverse and distributed model with students spread out through eight residential districts and a compact core model, in which first years, sophomores, and graduate students each have a unique district, and juniors, seniors and other graduate share three mixed districts.
North Campus site plan
The plan establishes a bold vision that increases undergraduate and graduate student beds; strategically consolidates housing, guides the creation of an active public realm; activates the lake front and integrates student housing with opportunities for collaboration, allied industry partnership, and innovation
The Ellicott Complex and Lee Road
Three key aims guided the planning process
Illustrative plan
The Ellicott Complex and Lee Road
Three key aims guided the planning process
Illustrative plan
An open space network of pedestrian-scaled streets, plazas, and green spaces frames specific housing sites, while a flexible parcel structure on the site enables projects to be developed independently as financial realities dictate
Student life programs are distributed across the district and linked to outdoor green spaces and terraces
Parcel B and the area west of Lee Road are transformed into a vibrant, compact mixed-use housing and innovation district
A physical toolkit of ground floor anchors activate the public realm and integrate housing with entrepreneurship development
Lee Road is reimagined as a lively complete street with active building frontages, transit and wide pedestrian paths
Parcel B and the area west of Lee Road are transformed into a vibrant, compact mixed-use housing and innovation district
A physical toolkit of ground floor anchors activate the public realm and integrate housing with entrepreneurship development
Lee Road is reimagined as a lively complete street with active building frontages, transit and wide pedestrian paths
The plan improves visual and physical connections to Lake LaSalle
As part of this study, Sasaki recommended specific financial investments for aging residence halls to maximize efficiency. The Ellicott Complex, the largest residential complex housing 3,200 students through six buildings, was identified as a facility that would benefit from a renovation, while other residence halls will be strategically removed as new building locations are identified. The goals of renewing the Ellicott are focused on creating an identity for the whole complex, improving the connection to the deck level and activating the ground floor by reprogramming it, which will happen through social stairs, flexible spaces, and atrium spaces.
“The Ellicott Complex is a 38-building mega-structure consisting of dormitories, dining facilities, academic departments, administrative offices, and classrooms for 3,200 students
The proposed plan peels back multiple layers that have been added to Ellicott over time to revitalize it as a great multi-year student housing community that is tied to the broader emerging culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at UB
The six quads from a former design are reimagined with new identities
Design concepts that are core to the larger project drive the reimaginging of the space
Proposed space connects and engages both levels
The six quads from a former design are reimagined with new identities
Design concepts that are core to the larger project drive the reimaginging of the space
Proposed space connects and engages both levels
The proposed plan inserts a double height volume into the heart of each quad, which includes a prominent social stair to facilitate movement and visual connectivity between the ground and terrace levels
The terrace level is designed and programmed to accommodate year round activities
The proposed plan relocates administrative and academic functions elsewhere and transforms the ground level experience, by introducing additional housing, and activating the spine and courtyards by inserting a variety of shared social spaces at regular intervals
A newly reimagined home for student life, learning, and engagement with the campus
New front door to Ellicott Complex
For more information contact Caitlyn Clauson.