CPL, in collaboration with S.B. Ballard Construction Company and Niles Bolton Associates, partnered with Norfolk State University (NSU) to design and deliver a transformative new residential facility for first-year students.
Completed
2019
Size
197,424 sq. ft.
Services
Architecture
This four-story, 193,424 sq. ft. complex provides 740 beds, thoughtfully arranged across North and South Halls and connected by a dynamic two-story amenity space that serves as the heart of student life.
The central hub was intentionally designed to foster community, wellness and academic success. It features a rich array of spaces—including a fitness room, movement and yoga studio, group study areas, a multipurpose room, theater, conference facilities, resource production space, a community kitchen and open gaming zones—creating an environment that supports both personal growth and collective engagement.
The building integrates seamlessly into NSU’s campus master plan, reinforcing the University’s architectural identity with a facade of signature red brick, fiber cement panels, glass curtainwall and precast concrete accents. Surrounding the facility, landscaped green spaces and new pedestrian pathways extend opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and connection to the broader campus.
By combining purposeful design with vibrant amenities and sustainable site enhancements, the residence hall delivers far more than housing—it provides a supportive foundation for student success, strengthening the first-year experience and cultivating lifelong connections to the NSU community.
