GEM Residence Hall

Owner: Oregon State University
Scope: $19 million, 121,000 SF

To enliven this residence hall that had fallen out of favor with students, the design takes advantage of the simple concrete structure and reinvents common areas. A yoga room, flooded with natural light, offers a quiet space for retreat. The laundry room is now one of the most popular areas in the building with a lounge and fitness area. The 1960s pinwheel layout of the building was transformed by using its unusual scaling to create unique apartment footprints. Custom light fixtures work together with a bold color palette, stylized graphics and photography to add character to the interior. Creating a whole new identity — name, logo and visual signature — helped infuse the building with an eclectic, modern vibe.