As higher education institutions compete for students, desirable student residences may be a deciding factor. Laurel Hall, MGA&D’s initial project at NJIT, houses approximately 300 students in a mix of suites with single and double rooms. It was so successful that we designed its expansion almost immediately after it opened. The large centralized portico of Laurel Hall provides a strong sense of identity. Setting the single rooms and stairways back from the main plane of the facades allowed us to break down the scale of the nearly 250-foot long building. Laurel Hall Extension completed the quadrangle and defined the open space. We also devised a paint scheme for the adjacent Oak Hall, a renovated former industrial building, which unified the architectural ensemble.
MGA&D’s master plan for NJIT’s urban campus envisioned a framework for future development, helped the institution establish its priorities and identified distinct projects in light of immanent bond funding. When originally planned, the campus was envisioned as a suburban model centered on a loose organization of green space. Our plan helped strengthen the identity of the perimeter, used new and infill buildings to define open space and established zones for various uses. The master plan confirmed sites for three immediate projects: completion of the Laurel Hall residential quadrangle, increased student life and food service facilities, and a mixed-use building for administrative offices, instructional space and research space.
