The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee unveiled the 100,000-square-foot Atala Residence Hall and Student Center as its first on-campus housing, creating a new foundation for student life. The residence hall accommodates 204 students, with traditional undergraduates in double-occupancy rooms with private baths and fifth-year nursing students in apartment-style units. Each floor balances shared experience and independence, with distinct wings connected by a common lounge and vertical circulation that support informal mentorship and everyday connection.
Shape
The two-story student center acts as a campus living room, bringing together dining, retail, and flexible gathering spaces that support a wide range of student activities. A monumental stair connects to the second floor, where student engagement offices, meeting rooms, and open club space extend into an outdoor terrace overlooking the courtyard and pond. The building was designed and constructed to achieve LEED Silver certification, incorporating passive strategies such as east-west orientation and shaded arcades, along with energy-efficient systems, a durable insulated precast concrete envelope, native plantings, and sustainable materials.
Inspire
Our design aims to transform this primarily commuter campus into a vibrant residential community. By providing vital social infrastructure, the building is infusing the campus with around-the-clock energy. From the campus living room that welcomes both residents and commuters, to the commanding views from the upper floors, every aspect of this building is designed to inspire and engage students. Completed in 2024, this fast-track Design/Build project demonstrates our ability to efficiently execute complex, high-impact projects that support university growth and enhance student life.
The students who will soon move into the new Campus Student Center and Atala Residence Hall will create history together as the first USF Bulls to live, learn and grow in this transformational facility. We look forward to seeing all the ways in which they will contribute to our campus community.
