Butler University’s Residential College (ResCo) is about to undergo the most extensive renovation the building has seen since its construction in 1988. Primarily housing first-year students, the residence hall community is slated to receive more than $20 million in upgrades over the next two years.
“Just as we are committed to providing our students with top-tier academics at Butler, we aim to create an excellent out-of-class experience for them, and that includes our residential communities that are home for many Butler students,” says Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Frank E. Ross. “Residential College already offers a vibrant community with access to valuable campus amenities, and this renovation will further enhance opportunities for students to live and learn together in a place they are excited to be.”
Though the plan was approved in early 2020, pandemic restrictions put the project on hold. Interior and exterior renovations of the building’s residential areas are now scheduled to begin in May 2022, and a remodel of the ResCo dining hall will take place the following summer. The project was designed by architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz and will be completed by Turner Construction.
During the summer 2022 phase, all of ResCo’s suites will be updated to match a group of eighteen rooms that were already remodeled in 2019. Upgrades will also be made to corridors, public restrooms, plumbing, and air handling units throughout the building.
Visually, the design emphasizes cozy vibes with artwork, natural materials, mid-century furniture, and muted color schemes. Finishings feature geometric patterns with soft tones of grey, blue, and white. A second-floor common area includes a functional workspace with a lounge-like design, while the main lobby’s brighter colors create a sense of energy.
The project also reimagines ResCo’s outdoor environments. Patios will include spaces for both relaxation and fun, with one featuring terrace seating surrounded by plants and the other inviting students to join in outdoor games with friends, dine al fresco, or gather around a fire.
In 2023, a second construction phase will revamp the ResCo dining hall to match the building’s 2022 redesign. Warm and eclectic decor will feature vibrant murals and an abundance of greenery that brings life to the space. The dining hall’s kitchen and other back-of-house areas will also receive upgrades through the project. Butler expects all the renovations to be complete by the end of next year.
Media Contact:
Mark Apple
Director of Strategic Communications
mapple1@butler.edu
317-519-8592
About Butler University
Butler University is a nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing six colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Pharmacy & Health Sciences. Approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students are enrolled at Butler, representing 46 states and 22 countries. More than 75 percent of Butler students will participate in some form of internship, and Butler students have had significant success after graduation, as demonstrated by the University’s 97 percent placement rate within one year of graduation. The University was recently listed as the No. 1 regional university in the Midwest, according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, in addition to being included in The Princeton Review’s annual “best colleges” guidebook.