Campus Building Analysis: Residential

Much of UNC Greensboro’s residential halls are located in North Central campus with the exception of both the Spring Garden Apartments and Tower Village. The concentration of residential halls has been classified as a residential district due to their relative proximity to each other (some of them are quite secluded). According to the current UNCG master plan, there are future plans for two residential halls on the parcel of land currently used for freshman parking, adjacent to Tower Village and across from a student recreation field. The proposed residential hall closest to Spring Garden is planned to have approximately 96,000 square feet with 1 occupant for every 325 gross square feet (about 295 students). The second is much larger at 130,000 square feet with the same occupant per gross square footage mentioned above (400 students).


With the possible addition of these residential halls, UNCG increases the potential for a secondary residential district on the southern edge of campus. Unfortunately this opportunity for increased density also creates a problem for parking. In adding these halls, UNCG loses a substantial number of surface parking spaces. If the new building designs follow a similar, seemingly successful, solution to that of the Spring Garden Apartments (mixed use with sub-level parking) then there should be minimal impact on commuters.

It should also be mentioned that the Spring Garden/Aycock intersection is a major gateway into campus. With increased student housing, there is opportunity for increased student activity and economic development around that newly developed district. Should one of the design teams choose the part of our studio’s Lee Street site adjacent to this gateway (Lee/Aycock intersection and corner parcel), integrating student activities or housing into the optional mixed-use part of the program would be something to consider for this location.
The residential halls on campus come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The older halls average about 200 net square feet per student occupant. While opinions vary on the subject of whether to live on campus or not from student to student, a majority of upperclassmen (and women) choose to live off campus because of the desire for more personal space. It is UNCG’s goal to attract more students to live on campus, regardless of their year classification. With that in mind, UNCG has recently taken the intiative in that realm by redeveloping the Spring Garden Street Apartments, offering over twice the average net square footage per student occupant (457) as well as offering sub-level parking. With larger housing options available, upperclassmen will be more likely to reconsider on campus living as opposed to comperable off-campus options.