Morgan State University (MSU) is creating a forward thinking live, dine, learn facility in the new Thurgood Marshall Hall. In partnership with the Maryland Economic Development Corporation, MSU is developing a brand new 233,000 SF, 10 story student housing facility on with 40,000 SF dining facility on the University’s South Campus.
The new facility will be a new campus hub for activity with 674 beds in semi-suite and apartment style configurations, individual and group study areas, as well as 24-hour dining with a full kitchen. Thurgood Marshall Hall redefines community building, brings the classroom into the residence hall and provides opportunities for students to engage physically and virtually. Technology designs support hybrid and virtual learning, collaboration, and technology amenity trends.
The project is seeking LEED V4 Gold certification and includes many sustainable design strategies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, such as energy recovery wheels, recirculating hot water, low flow fixtures, and low mercury lamps. To improve indoor air quality improved filtration levels and bi-polar ionization is also being designed for many spaces.
To accommodate the location of the new building, Bala designed the rerouting and phasing of existing underground duct bank and cabling, which was part of the campus distribution from two separate source locations. The cabling consisted of approximately 800 pairs of copper telephone lines, air-blown optical fiber cabling and internet service provider cabling.
Bala’s technology designs for the new building include the IT infrastructure, access control and video surveillance, audiovisual, two-way communications systems and distributed antenna performance specifications. The design also included outdoor emergency blue phones with video surveillance and wireless network coverage.
Renderings courtesy of Hord Coplan Macht