This summer, the university housing department has scheduled renovations of the 100, 300 and 400 blocks of the University Forest Apartments.
The architects of BCWH and McMillan Pazdan Smith are leading the project and have actively sought students' opinions regarding the new designs. The two companies hosted on-campus info sessions last week to better understand what future UFA residents envisioned for the construction.
Carolyn Bigler, assistant director of undergraduate student housing, said her involvement in the entire renovation process was minimal.
"It's really up to the architects and the students," Bigler said. "They invite us to the meetings to give our input and make suggestions, but we aren't the key decision makers."
According to the UFA website, the renovations will include the installation of brand-new appliances, as well as kitchen cabinets and countertops, windows, carpet, tile, a sliding-glass door and bedroom furniture.
Andrea Vega, a rising senior at Richmond, said she was looking forward to seeing the new apartment changes in person.
"I'm excited to see both the new appliances and the half bathroom being installed downstairs," Vega said.
The 100, 300 and 400 block apartments will be the first UFA buildings to have a half bath on the first floor, in addition to a completely revamped second-floor bathroom.
Another added feature are keyed locks on both bedroom doors on the second floor. This idea was put into action as a safety feature after multiple complaints from current UFA residents caught the architects' attention.
Brooke Lee, a junior living in apartment 400 next year, said she and her three roommates had chosen the renovated apartments first in the housing lottery.
"The renovated blocks were our first choices," Lee said. "I think everyone's pretty excited to see the changes on the first floor."
The architects plan to knock down the wall that separates the kitchen and the dining room, creating a more spacious and open layout downstairs, as well.
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Renovations are scheduled to be completed by fall 2012 move-in day, and floor plans can be found on the housing page of the university website.
Contact reporter Laura Allen at laura.allen@richmond.edu
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