Perkins&Will Keene State College, Living and Learning Commons
Location Keene, New Hampshire
Function Living and learning commons
Client Keene State College
Completion date 2016
Architect Perkins&Will
Sustainability Carbon Neutral, ZNEB Ready
Photography Anton Grassi
The design incorporates distinctive detailing, infusing the façade with varied textures and reliefs, artfully modulating the building’s scale.
The inception of the Living and Learning Commons (LLC) at Keene State College was driven by the aim to facilitate a seamless transition into college life for students. This objective was realized through the establishment of an environment in which both faculty and residential staff collaborate to foster communities that not only help students cultivate friendships but also thrive academically. Currently serving as the dedicated abode for 350 first-year students, the new LLC accommodates eleven diverse communities, each providing a range of opportunities for students to explore their academic pursuits and engage in co-curricular interests within a secure, supportive, and dynamic milieu.
Design Philosophy Strategically situated at the convergence of the east visitor entry and the Appian way – a pivotal north-south axis connecting to the college's academic core – the LLC's design comprises three residential wings. These wings, clad in the iconic red brick reminiscent of the campus's heritage, delineate three distinct landscape areas. Complementing these brick residential wings is a vertical social hub, sheathed in metal and glass, serving as the connective thread of the community at the building scale. This central hub not only fosters engagement but also stands as a prominent landmark on campus, encouraging physical activity and interaction. This core component is set atop a base crafted from dark brick,
firmly grounding the structure and housing essential spaces like classrooms, kitchens, and lounges, where students, faculty, and staff can mingle. Furthermore, at the terminus of each residential wing, the masonry façade gracefully parts to unveil serene study rooms overlooking the landscaped areas.
The exterior materials of the LLC harmoniously align with the college's overarching vision of a campus marked by material coherence. While adhering to the college's standard brick, the design incorporates distinctive detailing, infusing the façade with varied textures and reliefs, artfully modulating the building's scale. Complementing the brick, warm gray metal and glass are strategically employed to define public spaces, promoting transparency while offering a striking visual contrast to the sturdiness of the brick wings.
Sustainable stewardship Notably, the LLC emerges as a testament to environmental stewardship, meticulously designed to align with Keene State College's Climate Action Plan and the AIA 2030 Challenge. The building is engineered to drastically reduce carbon emissions by an impressive 70%, eschewing reliance on fossil fuels. The surrounding landscape plays a pivotal role in this effort, featuring an active rain garden that effectively filters rainwater, alongside an expansive lawn housing 25 concealed geo-exchange wells. The comprehensive energy optimization efforts yield a remarkable 44 EUI reduction compared to the energy code baseline. This progressive approach to sustainability is projected to yield a notable 10-to-12-year payback period through the carefully selected systems and strategies employed in the building's design.
The sky-lit central atrium connects essential parts of the building and introduces natural light throughout.
Complementing the brick, warm gray metal and glass are strategically employed to define public spaces.
1 A vibrant social and academic hub, the project fosters community and harbors many miniature neighborhoods under one roof.
2 The Common Lawn is both a gathering space for the precinct and a performative landscape which filters rainwater and accommodates geoexchange wells.
3 Warm wood surfaces are employed in main lounge areas and a vibrant color highlight identifies each floor.
4 The interior color palette is characterized by natural tones that connect the spaces with the surrounding landscape.
5 Three primary zones buzz with activity at the ground level - the main building entry, the student lounge with a familystyle kitchen, and game room.
6 The Hub is the heart of the building and is vertically unified by a stair that winds its way up through the multi-story spaces, putting living and learning on display.
7 The ground level acts as the mixer, where students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to connect academically and socially.
