Florida International University, Panther Hall, Miami, Florida

The HADP goal for the project was to introduce student housing into the heart of the FIU campus by designing a building that established a high standard of institutional quality for development to follow.

Panther Hall was the first New Student Housing at Florida International University in nearly 20 years. The 410-bed housing facility was designed to provide a modern dormitory with two rooms/suites and amenities including a shared bath for up to four students. Panther Hall was the first phase of FIU’s University Village Complex and was designed with the intent that it would be used primary for freshmen students. This four-story state-of-the-art building is home to many first year students at FlU. The first floor contains one wing of students, a 24-hour front desk, Office of Residential Life, lounge, laundry facilities and a game room. The remaining three floors each contain three wings of approximately 40 students each. One Resident Assistant is assigned to each wing.

All accommodations are traditional two bedroom suites. Each suite contains its own private bathroom, full size refrigerator and microwave. Bedrooms within each suite are for double occupancy. Each bedroom has unlimited computer access via an Ethernet connection, local telephone service, and cable TV service. The building contains common area/study lounges on each floor, a recreation room and one large lounge on the first floor. The hall also contains a computer lab, laundry facilities, and common area kitchens. The outdoor courtyard area contains a sand volleyball court and direct access to the University's swimming pool