Florida Institute of Technology -
Columbia Village
Overview:
- Project Name: Columbia Village
- Location: Melbourne, Florida
- Beds: 336
- Completion Date: Fall 2003
- Design Firm: HADP Architecture, Inc.
- Construction Manager: M.H. Williams Construction, Inc.
- Financial Consultant: The Frazer Lanier Company, Inc.
Description:
Columbia Village Apartments consists of seven three-story buildings and a Commons Building providing support facilities. The entire project is located on a beautiful, naturally wooded site adjacent to a creek running through University property. Each building is constructed of institutional quality and durability using concrete block walls, stucco veneer and standing-seam metal roofs, and provides garden-style, walk-up convenience to the students. While each student enjoys the privacy of individual bedrooms, compartmentalized bathrooms, a kitchen and living room in each of the 84 four-bedroom apartments, it is the setting that makes this on-campus student housing unique.
The housing is connected to the rest of the campus and a new 152-space parking garage by a 182-foot, free-span bridge that crosses Crane Creek. Water management requirements, site utilization, city council and neighborhood concerns were all challenges that had to be met. All were put to rest with a site plan that protected over 50 percent of the existing trees on site, created a 50-foot natural buffer from adjacent properties and maintained the pristine natural setting that separates it from the main campus by a short walk.
While this new housing community is convenient to academic buildings, food service, and University activities, the complex has a very private feel. This is a setting that Florida Tech students will enjoy for years to come, as it is truly unique among on-campus housing locales.