The first months of college often set the tone for everything that follows. New students are forming routines, relationships, and a quiet sense of whether or where they belong.
When that transition feels isolating or uncertain, some will transfer or leave school altogether. National data shows that more than one in five first-year, full-time college students do not return for a second year.
From a university perspective, the quality of the first-year residential experience has lasting implications. On many campuses, students who feel disconnected are more likely to seek off-campus housing once requirements are met or disengage from campus life altogether, which can weaken community continuity and affect long-term housing participation.
In response, institutions increasingly recognize that residence halls are not simply places to sleep. They are essential environments for connection, wellbeing, and student success.
Taking this into consideration, McMillan Pazdan Smith, in association with Mackey Mitchell Architects, worked with Furman University to reimagine its aging 1960s residence halls. The result was not only a new residence hall or newly renovated facilities, but a first-year housing village that felt more like home and encouraged students to connect, not isolate.
“A great residence hall becomes the backdrop for everyday moments that matter, from shared meals and late-night study sessions to chance conversations in the lounge,” says Kyle Wagner, AIA, LEED BD+C, Principal, Mackey Mitchell Architects. “It’s where doors stay open, names are learned in passing, and the first real friendships of college quietly take root.”
First-year residence hall experience at Furman University, South Housing.
A Critical First Impression for First Year Students
Usually, within those first three months is when students decide whether they leave the college or stay. If there is a negative initial impression, you may lose that student for the next three and a half years.”
– Andrew McCall, AIA / Sr. Associate, McMillan Pazdan Smith
With all first-year housing located together on a dedicated portion of campus, the team approached this project as a cohesive and equitable living environment rather than a series of individual renovations.
That approach also helped address a familiar campus challenge: balancing new construction with older buildings without creating visible haves and have-nots. Because housing rates are consistent across campus, the student experience needed to feel consistent as well. Finishes, room layouts, amenities, and shared spaces were standardized, reinforcing a shared sense of value across all five buildings.
Designing for Connection, Not Isolation
For first-year students, privacy is not always the priority. Connection is.
While many contemporary residence halls trend toward privatized suites that can unintentionally isolate students, Furman leaned into communal spaces that support everyday interaction. Each wing is organized into smaller pods, with 14 students sharing a hall-style bathroom. The layout gently encourages students out of their rooms and into shared routines, such as getting ready for class, brushing teeth, or crossing paths between activities.
Throughout the buildings, a range of common spaces support connection at different scales. Smaller wing lounges foster neighborhood-level interaction, while larger central spaces bring entire floors together.
Study areas and social lounges are intentionally separated so both can function well. Booth-style study zones accommodate online classes and focused work, while active lounges give students space to relax without disrupting others. By clearly defining each function, the design helps both spaces succeed.
Shortly after the new hall opened, Ron Thompson, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Housing and Residence Life at Furman University, noticed students sitting outside playing cards — something he said he had not seen in years.
“Between the building’s lobby, the community kitchen, monumental staircase, elevator, and social lounges on each floor, an undeniable energy radiates through the building.” – Ron Thompson, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Housing and Residence Life at Furman University. (Pictured: Students playing cards at South Housing, Furman University).
Housing Spaces that Feel Like Home
Beyond layout, Furman wanted first-year housing to feel less institutional and more residential. Interiors avoid heavy branding in favor of warm materials, wood-toned finishes, and residential-style furnishings that create a calmer, more familiar environment.
We wanted these spaces to feel comfortable. It’s the first time many students have been away from home. You don’t want it to feel like they’ve just been dropped into a branded facility. It should feel like a place to rest and recharge.”
– Andrew McCall, AIA / Sr. Associate, McMillan Pazdan Smith
Communal kitchens reinforce that sense of home while supporting student wellness. Positioned front and center rather than tucked into a corner, these spaces allow students with different dietary needs to cook for themselves and provide a place for groups to gather around food, another natural opportunity to connect with their peers.
Building a Village, Not Just Facilities
The transformation extended beyond the residence halls themselves. Working closely with landscape partners, the team activated outdoor spaces to connect the five buildings into a true first-year village. New gathering areas, recreation spaces, and improved accessibility encourage students to move throughout the district rather than staying confined to a single building.
The result is a first-year environment that supports academia, social interaction, and personal well-being — at the same time.
By aligning goals of connection, belonging, and student success with clear design strategies, McMillan Pazdan Smith and Mackey Mitchell delivered more than updated housing. The project established a foundation that supports student retention, not just in the first year, but throughout a student’s academic journey.
“If students are comfortable where they live this first year, we believe they will be more engaged with the rest of the campus their entire time at Furman,” Thompson says.
For universities facing enrollment pressures and evolving student expectations, the lesson is clear: when residence halls are designed intentionally, they can do far more than house students. They can help them stay, connect, and thrive.
