Meharry Medical College Living-Learning Center

Project Statement

Burdened by Nashville's rising cost of living and limited housing supply, many college students are relocating farther from campus, away from academic resources and community support, in search of affordable housing. The Living and Learning Center at Meharry Medical College demonstrates how cost-effective design solutions can increase affordable housing amidst tumultuous market conditions to provide hospitable student spaces. As one of the oldest and largest historically black academic health institutions, the center provides future healthcare professionals with 126 one-bedroom units, combined with academic and social spaces to support student health and well-being.

Once a surface parking lot, the six-story center now boldly defines Meharry’s southeastern edge, forming an inviting gateway into campus and connection to the adjacent Hadley Washington neighborhood. The facility comprises two L-shaped wings connected by the building’s central core, which diverge in opposite directions to create two protected outdoor terraces. This massing strategy breaks down the building’s monolithic volume, introducing ample daylight across all public and residential spaces. A podium-style parking garage maximizes the sloping site—effectively tucking parking below grade—to support a lively pedestrian streetscape along Meharry’s main north-south artery.

Striations of metal panels and generous spans of glazing break apart the facility’s predominantly brick exterior—a refined move that establishes a contemporary visual presence while seamlessly blending into Meharry’s historic red brick campus. The ground floor houses retail, classrooms, and smaller social gathering spaces that provide equitable access to campus resources for Meharry's extended student population, activating the pedestrian realm.

Equipped with two spacious classrooms, the community-centered learning environment extends teaching and learning beyond the traditional classroom, offering flexible space for students and faculty to engage in group study, tutoring sessions, and scholarly presentations. Apartment units and resident spaces feature amenities akin to those found in nearby market-rate apartments, including in-unit laundry, a fitness center, a mailroom, and shared community spaces.

Framework for Design Excellence Narrative

## Design for Equitable Communities:

Affordable student housing provides more opportunities for students to attend medical school, which can otherwise be cost-prohibitive. The Living-Learning Center offers extended academic resources with classrooms and community study spaces.


Many urban higher education campuses present an exclusionary face towards their surroundings and an insular culture. The Living-Learning Center resists this common tendency by integrating within a prominent campus corner, remaining open and engaged with the North Nashville community through an activated street front and recessed outdoor spaces.

## Design for Wellbeing:

Two L-shaped wings connected by a central core diverge in opposite directions, creating two protected and spacious outdoor terraces. This massing strategy breaks down the building’s monolithic volume while introducing ample daylight and extensive outdoor views across all residential units and social spaces, providing students with moments of fresh air, opportunities for mindfulness, and social engagement. Window-to-wall ratios meet ASHRAE 90.1 of 40%.


The one-bedroom style units provide students with separate spaces for rest, socializing, and work.

## Design for Water:

Previously, the site consisted of a large impervious parking lot. Now, large outdoor terraces within the building utilize a pedestal system that allows water to permeate and drain to grade. Bio retention ponds, native plantings, and street-lined trees filter and absorb rainwater runoff while creating an attractive natural amenity. Low-flow fixtures are specified throughout the building.