Rutgers University upended traditional models and established an equitable honors program that blends classroom and community while providing opportunity to non-traditional students. The Honors-Living Learning Community (HLLC) welcomes talented intergenerational and international students, as well as students from non-traditional paths, such as single moms and veterans.
To create an environment where all students feel comfortable, AKF designed state-of-the-art, energy efficient, and occupant-friendly building systems, including a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC system for user-controlled temperature in individual rooms. A dedicated outdoor air system with two roof-mounted energy recovery ventilators provides ventilation air to all spaces while simultaneously recovering waste heat from exhaust air. Ultra-high efficiency LED lighting was provided throughout the facility and a theatrical color-changing lighting control system designed for an outdoor piazza that serves as a central meeting place for residents, faculty, and staff.
In addition to residences, the HLLC includes academic spaces, street level retail, parking garage, and social amenities to serve 400 students. Many institutions of higher education are following Rutgers’ example by building collaborative community-based residential environments; the success of HLLC is paving the way for similar programs to grow and thrive.
Technical Statistics
