Inspired by amenity-rich workplaces from high tech, this mixed-use development in Duke University’s Cinderella campus will house students (graduate, upperclassmen, post-docs), faculty, and distinguished guests to the university in value and comfort-oriented villas centered around community living.

The development will serve as a beacon for smart development, featuring LEED platinum accommodations, an electric car-share program, nutritionally optimized food services, high-tech-productivity common spaces and telecommunication centers, and personal health and well-being facilities. The development will give back to the community in a multitude of ways including a scholarship program and work-study job opportunities.

Light Insights in partnership with Clark Nexsen has hosted a design competition for this forward looking development. The competition garnered four submissions from over 20 architects, engineers, and interior designers and was judged by renowned industry experts from Duke, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Google, and Parsons amongst others. The criteria for judging was the following:

1. Innovation – Designs should enforce forward-thinking sustainability and technology features. The project should stand out among the neighboring buildings and developments. And perhaps most importantly, designs should consider how a 21st century graduate housing model might function while fostering community, personal growth and learning.
2. Connectivity with Surroundings – Connectivity with Duke’s campus to the West as well as retail and dining to the North (across the highway) should be considered.
3. Form-making, Space and Materiality – Creative and efficient use of space and materials are key aspects of leveraging this project as the model by which others are measured.  Keeping the design efficient can potentially reduce costs for greater market appeal.

The following images are a sampling of the outstanding work developed through the submissions.