Overview
Timmons Group has partnered to design a student housing facility for Virginia Commonwealth University that will set the standard for the Richmond area. The site is centrally located along Canal Street, a major arterial linking historic Shockoe Bottom, VCU, and the Fan district. This LEED Certified multifamily project includes six stories of student housing on top of two levels of structured parking. Timmons Group provided traffic study, zoning entitlement support, Phase I ESA, surveying, landscape architecture, civil engineering and construction administration. Site improvements include vehicular and pedestrian access, groundwater control, utility services, stormwater management, rainwater harvesting and public drainage improvements.
The design offers a non-traditional vision for off-campus student housing by creating a plan focused on two uniquely configured intensive green roof courtyards located above the parking deck. One courtyard accommodates passive activities, where individuals or small groups can meet, relax, or link into the internet at state-of-the-art outdoor study carrels. Connected by a community club, the activity-focused courtyard includes large seating areas with grills for student cookouts, shaded and sunny seating areas, and a large gathering space with outdoor lounge seating. Carefully selected plantings will separate the courtyards from the adjacent alley. The variety of spaces and experiences make the student housing complex a desirable place to live.
