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Alfond Commons

Colby College
A vibrant residential community is focused on academic and civic engagement.
Street view of Alfond Commons at Colby College
Location
Waterville, ME
Size
105,000 GSF
200 beds
Sustainability
LEED Silver
Completion
2018

Located on a prominent corner in downtown Waterville, this 200-bed, mixed-use student housing facility is Colby College’s first off-campus housing project and the flagship component of a multi-pronged investment to revitalize the city’s Main Street. The building echoes the materiality of Colby’s main campus and complements the character of Main Street, weaving it into the existing city fabric. Ground-level spaces devoted to recreation, wellness, retail, and a community forum activate the street, while a live-learn community on the upper levels includes academic space and social lounges. The community forum is designed to engage the city and support programs for a range of civic and community organizations.

The ground floor co-working space provides an environment conducive to both individual and group workNatural cedar patterning echoes the history of the area while large floorto-ceiling windows provide visibility to the street, connecting the interior to the site and activating the streetscape. The fireplace offers a sense of home. 

Designed to foster civic engagement and community initiatives, the community forum hosts Waterville City Council space, community organizations, and student and faculty-initiated programs that are open to the public. Occupying the most prominent ground-level corner, activity is showcased through a rhythm of windows that look to downtown Waterville.  

The west corner of the building is anchored by a stack of academic focused spaces, including a dynamic-seat classroom, collaborative spaces, social areas and a library/reading room. Natural cedar and a consistent color palette bring unity to these spaces. 

Awards

2021

AIA Baltimore Award for Multi-Family/Mixed Use Architecture Exceptional Detail Award

2020

AIA Arizona Design Award for Interiors
AIA Maryland Excellence in Design Award Citation for Institutional Architecture

2019

The Associated General Contractors of America Build Maine Awards Top Award
IIDA Southwest Chapter PRIDE Award for Design Excellence in Mixed-Use

2018

Maine Smart Growth Awards Outstanding Project
Partners
Landry French Construction Company - Design Build Lead
 
Next Project

Douthit Hills Development

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