Living + Learning Commons, Keene State College

Keene, New Hampshire

A new Living and Learning Commons at Keene State College provides a vibrant new social and academic focus. This state of the art residential facility boasts 11 different communities that provide a variety of opportunities for 348 students to pursue their academic and social goals in a safe, supportive and dynamic environment.

 
The landscape associated with the building redefines the south residential campus through two major landscape areas: a new grassy quad for the campus and an expansive rain garden and woodland area.  Rows of Lacebark Elm trees and oversized custom seating platforms line the edge of the large open lawn area, providing ample Frisbee and social spaces.  The eastern rain garden area is a more quiet landscape for seating and small outdoor learning and teaching groups. The rain garden collects run-off from the building’s roof and is planted with native perennials that alternate with bands of river stones.  A second type of planting surrounds it inspired by native the woodland. Throughout the design process the team worked closely with the facility department of Keene State College to select a material and planting palette that was both easy to maintain and complimented their existing campus landscape.

LOCATION
Keene, NH

CLIENT
Keene State College

ARCHITECT
Perkins+Will

FACILITY
University 

STATUS
Completed 2017