Southwest Minnesota State University Privatized Student Housing

Marshall, MN

The central design goal was to provide students at this rural university a housing option that fosters more independence and privacy than the traditional residence halls provide.

Beginning by surveying students regarding perceived housing needs and preferences, we embarked on a design-build project with Southwest Minnesota State University to construct privatized student housing. Located in the rural community of Marshall, this small university of roughly 3000 students has about 800 students who live on campus.

Students expressed a desire for more independence, to which the design responded by creating a private bedroom for each student, and a kitchen for each of the units. Another goal of the design is to attract students who might be drawn by a more urban feel to the design. There are three different kitchen colors in the building — red, yellow, and blue—also expressed on the exterior of the building.

The project was a community event, as a local bank believed in the idea of privatized student housing and provided financing. This allowed the SMSU Foundation to own the building, and lease it back to the university, with the university managing the project.