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Denison Housing Renovation
![Students relax in a renovated lounge space at Denison University](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1.jpeg 2400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1-170x113.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1-80x53.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N82_web_1-1600x1067.jpeg 1600w)
Shorney Hall: 40,000 GSF
Smith Hall: 27,000 GSF
Curtis Hall: 42,000 GSF
After Ayers Saint Gross completed a Residential Life Master Plan with Brailsford & Dunlavey, Denison University identified a need for modernized residence halls that would better support growing enrollment and foster a sense of community. The resulting renovation project included upgrades for four residence halls with the primary aim of enhancing the overall student experience, providing undergraduates with a true home away from home.
![Sunlit lounge spaces in Denison University's renovated student housing](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N80_web.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N80_web-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N80_web-170x113.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N80_web-80x53.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N80_web-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N80_web-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N80_web-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N80_web-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N80_web-1600x1066.jpeg 1600w)
Main objectives for the project included expanding communal spaces outside the bedrooms, addressing deferred maintenance issues, and establishing air-conditioned shared areas.
Curtis Hall, which houses sophomores and juniors, was renovated to combine two wings that were previously separate, while adding more unit types and capacity. The entry sequences and ground floor common areas, which were previously walled off, are open and sunlit, providing a more welcoming experience. Lounge spaces have been incorporated into circulation areas, encouraging students to interact and build community as they work.
![a before image of a shared kitchen space at Denison University](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Kitchen.jpg 960w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Kitchen-170x128.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Kitchen-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Kitchen-400x300.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Kitchen-600x450.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Kitchen-800x600.jpg 800w)
![A shared kitchen in Denison University's renovated student housing](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N84_web.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N84_web-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N84_web-170x113.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N84_web-80x53.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N84_web-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N84_web-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N84_web-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N84_web-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N84_web-1600x1066.jpeg 1600w)
Crawford, Smith, and Shorney Halls were renovated to support the first-year experience with purposeful insertions of common space to foster community.
![Before: A dimly lit student lounge](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-before-lounge.jpg 1012w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-before-lounge-105x140.jpg 105w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-before-lounge-60x80.jpg 60w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-before-lounge-300x400.jpg 300w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-before-lounge-450x600.jpg 450w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-before-lounge-600x800.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-before-lounge-900x1200.jpg 900w)
![After: A brightly lit shared kitchen and student lounge](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N74_web.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N74_web-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N74_web-170x113.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N74_web-80x53.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N74_web-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N74_web-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N74_web-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N74_web-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N74_web-1600x1066.jpeg 1600w)
![Before: The entryway for Shorney Hall](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Entry.jpg 960w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Entry-170x113.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Entry-80x53.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Entry-400x267.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Entry-600x400.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Entry-800x533.jpg 800w)
![A photo of the improved entrance to Denison University's Shorney Hall](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N76_web.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N76_web-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N76_web-170x113.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N76_web-80x53.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N76_web-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N76_web-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N76_web-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N76_web-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N76_web-1600x1066.jpeg 1600w)
A strategic intervention of opening up the exterior and key building circulation to Shorney Hall brings in more daylight and creates new student lounge space.
![a before image of the exterior of a Denison University residence hall](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Exterior.jpg 594w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Exterior-154x140.jpg 154w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Exterior-80x73.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Denison-Before-Exterior-400x364.jpg 400w)
![Denison University renovation exterior after](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N73_web-1.jpeg 1100w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N73_web-1-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N73_web-1-93x140.jpeg 93w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N73_web-1-53x80.jpeg 53w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N73_web-1-267x400.jpeg 267w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N73_web-1-400x600.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N73_web-1-533x800.jpeg 533w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N73_web-1-800x1200.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N73_web-1-1067x1600.jpeg 1067w)
![Students relax in a brightly lit lounge space](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N78_web.jpeg 1179w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N78_web-1098x1536.jpeg 1098w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N78_web-100x140.jpeg 100w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N78_web-57x80.jpeg 57w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N78_web-286x400.jpeg 286w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N78_web-429x600.jpeg 429w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N78_web-572x800.jpeg 572w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N78_web-857x1200.jpeg 857w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0021847_00_N78_web-1143x1600.jpeg 1143w)
Consistent finishes and design features unite the four buildings, while also incorporating fire protection, egress improvements, and accessibility compliance. The new interior lighting design for the buildings reduces lighting power density by 77-percent, more than three times the current AIA 2030 reduction target for interior spaces, through daylighting and LED lighting.