Stevens & Wilkinson SC, Inc., VMDO Architects, Sasaki and RMS Architecture

Comprised of nearly 286,000 square feet, with a construction cost of approximately $83 million, the Core Campus Precinct satisfies the growing demands for contemporary housing and dining options. The new precinct also enables the upcoming demolition and redevelopment of Harcombe Dining Hall and Student Union Complex in subsequent phases.

The primary goals for this project included capturing the best of the “Clemson experience”; advanced coordination with future projects outlined in the campus master plan; creating a facility to enable recruitment and retention of students; and achieving LEED Silver Certification.

One of the greatest challenges encountered during the design was making sure a number of contemporary materials and elements conform to the traditional aesthetics of the 130-year-old campus. Newly implemented site planning and landscape architecture helped create a high-quality flexible space which expressed the importance of the “Clemson experience” and blended with the campus’ traditional components. Another challenge the team encountered was fitting the majority of the building onto a limited site. Student housing was placed above the dining hall, which allowed the dining hall to have its own aesthetic without interfering with the housing component or the three distinctive entryways into the residence halls and Honors College.

The housing program provides a wide array of unit types and community options for students, furthering Clemson’s goals for growth and retention. At the north end of the site, two seven-story residence halls of 244 and 178 bed in-suite style spaces comprise the Calhoun Honors College, with assembly and administrative space at the first floor. The southern dorm accommodates freshman students in typical two-person rooms.

In order to provide easy connectivity to and from central campus buildings, the team created the popular Clemson Walk pedestrian spine, which now acts as a key unifying space for the entire precinct and beyond. The 20-foot-wide walk features integrally colored concrete paving and is framed by a planned allée of trees and LED lighting elements. Teak benches are arranged along the walk, and the new housing, dining and Honors College can be accessed from this path.

The creation of the path included the addition of landscaping elements like courtyards, art features and trees placed throughout the precinct. An opening in the stairwells in the residential halls to interior, glass-bound corridors create connective spaces that foster a sense of community and promote excitement for student life within the residence halls.

The south and east sides of the main building were designed with a series of sunny seating terraces connected by sloped walkways and steps. A lawn transitions from the terraces along the building to the sidewalk, and an “entry terrace” connects through steps and a walkway at grade, leading to the main central dining terrace.

The dining facility offers a wide array of choices across 300 seats of retail dining and 900 seats of residential dining. The dining complex has three levels, including a lower service level, main dining level and a relaxed dining mezzanine, all of which are connected by a centrally located circulation core. The character of the high-end facility offers a variety of seating areas separated by custom millwork-style seating and partition screens. Each retail dining venue has its own unique character and finishes that tie into the overall aesthetic of the facility.

The area was designed as a celebration of space and to create an exciting interior. Furthermore, the building’s roof was strategically designed to pull abundant natural light into the space. In order to achieve the desired look, slate sawtooth components were introduced to help set off the dining hall’s elevation while also accentuating the roof’s skylights.

In addition, Klugh Avenue was re-shaped to provide access for service and emergency vehicles as well as emergency egress. Due to previous development, the site was formerly crossed by most major campus utility services, including steam, chilled water, power, telecommunications, storm and sanitary sewers, which were strategically relocated by the team to make way for the project.

The Core Campus Precinct project embodies all the aspects of the “Clemson experience” and is one of the most complex higher education projects of its kind – a project designed to pave the way for other institutions to create similar spaces of this nature.