Union Theological Seminary, Hastings Hall

Built in 1910 as a student dormitory offering two-room chambers for students with shared bathrooms on each floor, Hastings Hall was renovated in the 1980s and converted primarily to apartment-style units with small kitchenettes and bathrooms. With significant shifts in student and faculty housing, it is critical for UTS to both maintain the existing number of units available to students and provide all residents with an enhanced residential experience. BBB helped UTS navigate options for the unit mix and the extent of the renovation. The current design provides a more flexible mix of units, and provides a mix of studios, flexible 2-room suites, and traditional dorms. BBB conducted programming sessions with students to ensure that the renovated building would reflect their needs. Common spaces on each floor provide a range of social and study space, including for meditation, prayer, group study, and shared cooking and eating. With the central plant for the campus located in the basement of the building, the project is a key element of the Campus Renewal Plan, providing the infrastructure for upgraded HVAC, electrical, and fire protection systems.