Kripper Studio completed the design and implementation of several improvements at Northeastern University’s West Village G Student residences. Shared amenity spaces, classrooms, the main entrance, and other access points received a comprehensive refresh as well as the introduction of greater energy-saving efficiencies.

The scope of work called for Kripper Studio to upgrade, enhance and re-imagine the 109,000 sqft of usable space within the building. The intention was to enhance the quality of the students’ experience and nurture a sense of community. In addition, achieving better energy efficiency for the building was a primary intention.

Adhering to his belief that the most sustainable building can be an existing building, architect Amir Kripper led a design team, which included Turner Construction as the general contractor, to enhance the existing structure and interiors. In addition to selecting energy saving appliances for the kitchens and energy saving LED lighting options for the approximate 1,180 light fixtures throughout the building original pendant lights on the ground floor were easily retrofitted with new LED bulbs for greater energy efficiency.

“This was an opportunity to do something cool and interesting as Northeastern is committed to raising the bar,” explains Amir Kripper, founding principal of Kripper Studio. “The energy efficiency decisions were primary goals but equally important was the goal to enliven the spaces. Starting with the existing interior architecture, we designed visual cues to better navigate the building. We added fields of color. A complimentary palette of alternating colors on large expansive wall surfaces creates a wayfinding logic.

Existing flooring in the hallways and dorms was removed and replaced with a durable and low VOC luxury vinyl tile with a wood-like finish, manufactured by Mohawk.

The University’s adherence to sustainability guided their decision to donate movable fixtures in good condition to a local non-profit for re-use. Other existing fixtures, like the reading nooks and certain furniture, were kept onsite to be re-used by the University, thus ensuring a maximum life-cycle use of manufactured products and reducing landfill waste.

The recent upgrades, enhancements and re-imagining by Kripper Studio achieves the usability and enjoyment of Northeastern University’s West Village G Student residences building for today’s needs.

Design: Kripper Studio
General Contractor: Turner Construction
Photography: Pablo Gerson