Sasaki Associates, Inc.

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY SINGLETON, HITCH, AND MAIDA RESIDENTIAL HOUSES

Sasaki

ARCHITECTS
Sasaki

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Sasaki

COST ESTIMATION
Becker & Frondorf

PROJECT MANAGER AND PROJECT ARCHITECT
Yifaat Ayzenberg

ENGINEER - CIVIL
Langan

LEED ADMINISTRATION
Samterwerks Architecture

ENGINEER - STRUCTURAL
Lemessurier

LIGHTING DESIGN
Hlb

ACOUSTIC CONSULTANT
Acentech

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
The Whiting-turner Contracting Company

DESIGN PRINCIPAL
Vinicius Gorgati

PRINCIPAL IN CHARGE
Bill Massey

DESIGN TEAM
Andy Cole, Jared Barnett, Danielle Decarlo

PROJECT DESIGNER
Carla Ceruzzi

LANDSCAPE PROJECT MANAGER
Milee Pradhan

ENGINEER - MEP
Vanderweil

AREA
245000 Ft²

YEAR
2020

LOCATION
Bethlehem, United States

CATEGORY
University

In 2016, Sasaki began working with Lehigh University to transform the student residential experience on campus.

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann

After identifying a long-term strategy for renovating existing housing, taking outdated buildings offline, and adding capacity to support the school’s growth, the school, and the design team identified what was missing on campus: hangout and group study spaces and a “bridge” typology that offers more privacy than a traditional dormitory but more community than apartment-style housing.

The new residential houses provide this desired space by strategically weaving together a common route where students can make connections and strengthen their residential community.

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann

The design also includes a cohesive strategy for open space that respects the historic campus character and steep topographic conditions.

The buildings are sculpturally crafted within the scale of Lehigh’s traditional residence halls. The material palette picks up on the campus’ prevalent Pennsylvania bluestone and metal roofs, while the iron spot brick alternating between smooth and rusticated textures harmonizes with the iron-rich local stone used on surrounding buildings.

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann

Designed for Connection.

The campus is currently organized around east-west terraces with few north-south (up/downhill) connections given Lehigh’s steep topography.

The new housing complex, comprising the South Cluster and North Cluster buildings, adds a new accessible public route that traverses six stories of grade change and links together student life programs.

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann

The design also opens up views and new outdoor spaces that connect the campus’s historic core to the residential hillside.

The final design successfully reconnects the residential experience to the broader heart of campus with a sustainable and contemporary living environment.

An Integrated Landscape.

The landscape design, in addition to bridging large variations in elevation, provides active spaces that flow from indoor student life venues to new outdoor recreational opportunities.

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann

The team studied the ecology of the surrounding woodlands to fine-tune plantings and update the core campus’s parklike landscape to provide habitat restoration and stormwater management. These efforts extend onto the green roofs of the buildings, connecting the entire complex to its landscape.

Architectural Character.

The central campus includes dramatic views and stone buildings that are experienced in the round.

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann

At the campus periphery, long, linear residential buildings form courtyards. The new buildings echo the solid, prismatic forms of the core campus while also framing new, active courtyards. Their forms are inspired by the campus context of late-19th-century stone and brick laboratories and housing on a dramatic, lush mountainside landscape.

The Student Experience.

The new housing cluster will foster student wellness, with a balance of work and play while providing community identity.

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann

Key programs, including classrooms, a fitness center, a café, and multi-purpose spaces support mental and physical health for students immersed in rigorous academic programs.

As a university with five colleges and a variety of degree programs that emphasize project-based learning — Lehigh presents an opportunity to foster an intellectual life based on interpersonal connection.

Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann

Sustainability.

Reflecting Lehigh’s impressive history as a leader in science and engineering, environmental stewardship and sustainability are key components of the neighborhood.

Specific strategies proposed include an integrated suite of stormwater management components, energy-efficient building systems, and a solar hot-water demonstration system.


Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann
Lehigh University Singleton, Hitch, And Maida Residential Houses
© Jeremy Bittermann


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Sasaki Associates, Inc.
T +1 617 9263300 F +1 617 9242748
Sasaki Associates, Inc.
110 Chauncy St Suite 200, Boston, MA 02111, United States