Client
Core Spaces
Project Location
Bloomington, IN
Area
305,000 SF; 169 units; 589 beds
Services
Architecture, interior design
Building Form & Site Integration
Responding to a 30-foot grade change, the building steps with the slope, reducing perceived scale and creating a dynamic presence from multiple vantage points. The sloped site required a coordinated approach to stormwater management, developed in close collaboration with the civil engineer. Subtle grading and planted swales along the perimeter capture and slow runoff during heavy rain events before directing water into the city system. These functional elements are integrated into the landscape and supported by durable native plantings, allowing infrastructure to remain largely unseen while contributing to a cohesive outdoor environment.
The Academic Hub
The lobby welcomes residents with vintage basketball flooring, a bold athletic stripe, a custom basketball-inspired chandelier, and a curated mix of archival team photography and contemporary artwork. Leather accents, wood tones, and distressed finishes evoke a library well-used and well-loved, while the mailroom doubles as a celebratory “trophy nook.” The Academic Hub offers a variety of study settings, from overstuffed booths and book-lined shelving to semi-private niches, balancing quiet focus with collaborative energy.
Community Amenities
Upward, the rooftop pool deck delivers a resort-style escape, featuring cabanas, a grill station, and layered lounge zones. The Trophy Room, moody and grunge-like record library, anchors social gatherings with a live-edge kitchen island and pool table, while the Annex celebrates IU’s Little 500 bike race through red-accented bike elements, plaid wallcovering, and a communal table crafted from repurposed bike tires. The Fitness Center combines old-school gym nostalgia with modern performance equipment, highlighted by a feature stair beneath a sculptural light installation of open bulbs, vintage gym rings, and sports equipment. The adjacent Bike Room continues the race narrative and remains flexible, able to adapt to retail or partnership use.
The Residential Units
Beyond amenities, 169 residential units provide 589 beds across studios to five-bedroom suites, including VIP options with private terraces or hot tubs. Furnished with essential pieces atop warm wood flooring, the units serve as personalizable canvases, allowing students to express their style while maintaining cohesion across the community.
