Valparaiso University Beacon Hall

As part of a student life transformation envisioned by Valparaiso University’s campus master plan, the design-build team of FGM Architects and Mortenson were engaged to provide a new student residence hall. Located at the main entry gate along the northern edge of the campus, the new 85,000 square-foot Beacon Residence Hall houses 290-beds across four floors.

The building’s collegiate Gothic architecture compliments the campus housing aesthetic and includes four-, six-, and eight-bed suites. Other features include common rooms, study spaces, multipurpose rooms, laundry rooms, kitchenettes, a great room, ping-pong and billiards room, and an outdoor courtyard.

Many lean practices were incorporated on the project, including:

• Time-Saving Prefab Bathrooms Pods
• 100% Entirely Pre-Cast Structure
• Pull Planning Schedule Process

Because the residence hall was located on an active college campus, disruption avoidance was a key component to the success of the project. To accomplish this, the team worked diligently to maintain the Valparaiso University student experience by restricting noise during certain times of the day and providing offsite parking to keep the project clear of obstructions. An added challenge to the construction was that an existing data feed duct bank which served the entire University ran through the job site. Careful consideration was taken to ensure the duct bank remained protected. As a result, the project was "built around" the duct bank, eliminating any risk of disruption or damage to the feed.

The project is built to LEED Silver standards, but not seeking certification.