University Pointe

University Pointe is designed to provide opportunities for students to meet people, explore new ideas and share experiences on a daily basis within the context of the Portland State University campus as a whole. The residential floors are divided into five three-floor “neighborhoods,” linked to each other by an internal stairway. Each neighborhood has its own lounge, laundry facilities and study rooms. The aesthetics of the project draw from the eco-friendly culture and picturesque landscape of Portland, Oregon. These two main focal points for the student housing interior’s design anchored the team’s design concept.
One of the challenges involved acoustical solutions for the two-story social spaces. This was achieved by leveraging acoustical wall panels (in photos). Other amenities include upgraded interior finishes including hardwood-style floors, leather-style furniture, quartz stone countertops, and a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

The north-facing lounges of University Pointe have floor-to-ceiling views of downtown Portland, which was another key element to this project. University Pointe incorporates a variety of sustainable strategies that has achieved a gold LEED certification for the project. Some of those interior elements include low flow plumbing fixtures, energy efficient heating and cooling system, locally harvested wood, wall mounted bike hooks in each unit, an eco-roof and an on-site recycling center. The residencies feature an on-site TriMet MAX light rail stop to encourage alternative transportation. As designed, the student residential housing will minimize environmental impact by blending into the natural setting of the downtown campus.

All the photos in this template are taken by the talented photographer Pete Eckert.