Southern Methodist University, Residential Commons

Dallas, Texas

Firm

KSQ Design

Client

Southern Methodist University

Area

404,500 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$120,012,823

Completion Date

07/2014

The new Residential Commons at Southern Methodist University (SMU) will enable the university to enforce its new requirement that sophomores live on campus along with freshman, as well as facilitate the integration of academics with student housing. The new complex will have 1,250 beds, a 505-seat dining hall and an 800-car parking garage. Amenities include a student-services facility, classrooms and seminar rooms, faculty residences and offices. The project is expected to achieve LEED silver certification at a minimum.

To help achieve this LEED goal, the architect selected electrochromic glass for the double-volume windows in the dining hall. This efficient solution regulates solar heat gain and light transmission through the glass, as the level of tint can be controlled centrally with an iPad or wall switches. A multi-stack, modular chiller also was selected for greater efficiency. This solution allows the cooling capacity to be divided among multiple modules that run only when needed to ensure 24-hour efficiency. Water heated in the process of running the chillers also is used for hot-water requirements.