Athens, Georgia
The University of Georgia (UGA) has finished a major multi-year renovation project that includes five residence halls dedicated to first-year students. Started in May 2023 and completed in August 2024, these renovations have brought refreshed amenities and modern design touches to each one.
The five residence halls (Boggs, Church, Hill, Mell, and Lipscomb) are all four-story buildings originally constructed in 1961. Each one houses around 160 students in double-occupancy rooms and has a community bathroom on every floor. The renovations did not change the layout of the residents’ rooms, but they did bring new flooring to each resident’s room and many updates to large, shared spaces within each building.
The lobby, community kitchen, laundry facilities, and community bathrooms in each hall were completely torn out and rebuilt. The community bathrooms on each floor were then updated with modern fixtures and redesigned with features that allow for more privacy. On the first floor of each hall, the kitchen, laundry, and lounge areas were redesigned so that they were more open and welcoming to residents. Additionally, lounges and conference rooms were redesigned with floor-to-ceiling windows so that everyone can see and be seen in these areas. “The first-floor common spaces are far more open and filled with natural light compared to before the renovation,” says Linda Kasper, executive director of university housing. “In addition, we have created a number of differently sized gathering spaces, from open lounges to solo study rooms, all with storefront-style windows. The laundry and kitchen areas can also be used for studying and gathering, allowing students to stay connected to their communities during routine tasks.”
This renovation project allowed UGA to create one ADA-accessible residence room in Lipscomb Hall and one in Church Hall. Each one is located on the first floor and provides an ensuite bathroom. UGA has been pleased by the positive student responses to these renovations. “We’ve already seen increased demand for the renovated buildings,” says Kasper. “As we intended, the bright, open spaces for students to gather has led to frequent opportunities for them to make connections with peers and to build relationships.” — Camille Perlman