Scripps College has been recognized by the City of Claremont for the design of its NEW Hall residence building, which was completed in summer 2016 at the prestigious women’s college. City officials presented Scripps with a 2017 Excellence in Design Award for “new construction” at a public award presentation on June 14, 2017 at City Council chambers.
The one-year residence hall project opened to accommodate 115 students in fall 2016, connecting the property to a series of other dormitories along the northern edge of campus. The building consists of approximately 40,000 square feet of living space, and 12,000 square feet of landscaped courtyards. In April, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded NEW Hall LEED Gold certification for its energy-efficiency features.
“NEW Hall integrates modern campus lifestyles and sustainability practices with the rich architectural history of the Scripps College campus,” said Dean Calvo, vice president for Business Affairs/Treasurer at Scripps. “We are delighted with the design and functionality created by our partner architects Drisko Studio Architects, who also worked closely with student representatives in furnishing the student common areas.” Along with Calvo, Facilities Operations Manager Garrett Solomon represented the Scripps construction project management staff at the City of Claremont design awards ceremony.
The building links the present with the past – the photovoltaic energy system, low-energy LED lighting and controls and other sustainability features are integrated with the Mediterranean style architecture for which Scripps is known. NEW Hall’s architectural details also incorporate Moroccan and Arabesque-inspired motifs, such as interlaced decorative screens, geometrical and mosaic tilework, and arched doorways.
Scripps College has appeared in national rankings for its campus beauty, in addition to its academic standing. For several years, Forbes has selected Scripps for its “Most Beautiful College Campuses” list.
The City of Claremont’s Architectural Commission established the Excellence in Design Awards Program in 1980 to recognize and encourage high-quality design projects. Awards are presented in several categories including new construction, restoration, landscaping, signs, and sustainable development.
L to R: Garrett Solomon, Dean Calvo of Scripps College