Hiett Hall, Lawrence’s newest residence hall, was recently honored by two publications: Wisconsin Builder, an architectural magazine, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.Featuring several exceptional building projects of 2003, a special section in Wisconsin Builder, aptly entitled “Top Projects of 2003,” awarded Hiett one of these commendations in the article “Hiett of Achievement: Lawrence University Hiett Residence Hall.”
At a cost of $15.3 million, Hiett’s construction was made possible by a generous donation from Stanley and Clara Hiett, parents of 1958 Lawrence grad Kim Hiett Jordan. The building was designed by VOA Associates of Chicago, and contracted by Oscar J. Boldt Construction of Appleton.
Accommodating 183 beds, Hiett is the largest of the campus residence halls, and by virtue of its newness is easily the most popular as well; students often refer to the hall as the “Ritz-Carlton.” In addition to bathrooms in every suite-style room, special features include spacious kitchens on three of the four floors, a fireplace on the fourth floor, and roomy study lounges on each floor.
Wisconsin Builder also mentioned Hiett’s spectacular use of setting as well as its river-friendly design. The several environmentally-friendly aspects of the building include the use of recycled construction material, a radiant heating system and an exhaust-air heat recovery system, and the addition of bio-swales to the design to reduce the amount of pollution picked up by storm water and released into the river.
With the recognition of the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance, Lawrence is in the process of requesting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR title be bestowed on Hiett. The project’s general contractor, Boldt Construction, is also pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design recognition.
Hiett was also mentioned in The Chronicle of Higher Education, a periodical furnishing the higher education community. This edition emphasized new and refurbished college buildings from 2003-2003.
Hiett Hall’s awards are the not the only recognitions on campus this term; Lawrence University was also selected for inclusion as one of 100 nation-wide colleges to potentially participate in a new book entitled “Colleges With A Conscience: An Engaged Student’s Guide To College,” published in cooperation with Random House Publications, Campus Compact, and The Princeton Review. Paul Shrode, associate dean of students for campus activities, asked several students to participate in a survey regarding this potential inclusion.