Washington, D.C.
Roper Hall, a 59-bed, low-rise residence hall, was renovated for the 2024-25 academic year and now has an updated interior with more welcoming, comfortable, and modern features that align it with the other 11 residence halls on campus. But most of all, it is more accessible; the most exciting part of the renovation is the addition of an elevator, which provides greater accessibility and mobility to students within the building and will make move-in and move-out easier.
Roper Hall is a traditional-style residence hall that offers double and triple occupancy room configurations. Each residential room has new flooring, larger and more comfortable desk chairs, and streamlined, modern loftable beds. All residential bathrooms were redesigned to give students more privacy, and each floor has a pod-style bathroom with four individual private spaces containing a toilet and a shower.
The renovation also included reshaping the lobby space with a more prominent front desk layout that makes it easier to manage student traffic. The adjacent kitchen and lounge areas are now connected after a dividing wall was removed to make it easier for students to flow through the space. It is more welcoming, convenient, and comfortable, with spaces for socializing, cooking, or studying. The kitchen features comfortable seating and a new refrigerator and cooktop, and the lounge has been updated with new chairs, tabletops, couches, and built-in booth seats, a variety of seating that supports socializing, group meetings, or studying.
Roper Hall is also home to the Sankofa House themed housing community. This community draws from the West African concept grounded in the belief that the past informs the future, and it provides a space for students to connect and build a deeper understanding of heritage, resilience, and legacy. Staff are excited about this community experiencing the new physical changes in Roper Hall and feel that improvements like the upgraded engagement spaces will enhance student activities.
This community is open to all students who wish to reside on campus. “Some of our favorite parts of the community include the close-knit communities that formed in the space,” says Bryan Ensel, executive director of housing and residence life. “Given the intentionally behind the theme community, the students in this space are constantly seeing each other and have built lasting friendships.” —Camille Perlman
Spotlight is your chance to show off recent construction or renovation projects. Member institutions and architects are encouraged to share details about hall features, related programs, and how they connect to the overall housing mission, as well as photographs of the completed building. Share your success stories.
