Mackey Mitchell Architects, in collaboration with McMillan Pazdan Smith, has designed a comprehensive freshman experience for Furman University. The project envisioned a vibrant freshman village aligned with Furman’s Georgian architectural style and created an inclusive and equitable home for first-year students. The project included the renovation of two existing residence halls and the construction of a new one, providing double-occupancy rooms and community baths for 200 students and 10 staff members in total. Each hall features a community lounge and kitchen, along with pod lounges, flexible multipurpose rooms, group study areas, and a makerspace. Additionally, to support holistic student development, the Center for Inclusive Communities has been relocated to the Freshman Village.
Shape
The project was phased to allow for swing space while beds were temporarily offline during construction and renovation. The new residence hall was completed first, followed by the demolition of the former Blackwell Hall, making way for a new quad shared by all three buildings. The remaining phases included the renovation of McGlothlin & Poteat Halls and Manly & Geer Halls, completing the village with a consistent “wow” factor across all three halls.
Inspire
The relationship between the buildings and the landscape is of equal importance to the programs housed within. The site, surrounded by mature trees and a pristine lake, has been thoughtfully integrated into the overall design. On the north side, a large patio and grouped seating areas offer views of the lake framed by trees. New pedestrian pathways provide accessible and direct connections between the residential buildings and the campus core. A new lower quad links McGlothlin & Poteat and Manly & Geer to the new residence hall, complete with an accessible route spanning a significant grade change, a natural amphitheater, and an outdoor living room. Located at the center of the three halls, this quad serves as the heart and social hub of the freshman village.
By reimagining the first-year residence hall from the ground up, we are creating a vibrant student hub, one with new personal and social spaces for students to gather and connect for years to come, setting their trajectory for success at Furman and beyond.
