Architect unveils plan for residence

3609-11 Locust Walk site will house 55 Plans to convert 3609-11 Locust Walk into a student residence moved one step further toward reality yesterday, when the project architect presented her plans to a committee of University Trustees. Maria Romanach, the architect in charge of the project, revealed plans for the "incredibly high-tech building," which will include space for 55 residents, a dining hall and a computer room. The University announced its intentions to convert 3609-11 Locust Walk into a student residence last semester, amidst ongoing controversy over the diversification of Locust Walk. Plans for the residence require the back of the building to be razed, enabling a four-story brick structure to be added to the existing facade. The facade, Romanach said, was built in 1868 and will remain untouched for historical and aesthetic reasons. Vice President for Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said the total cost of the building could be $5.1 million. In addition to the computer, dining and residential facilities, the building will include lounges on each floor and a ground-floor seminar room. The dining hall will have capacity for twice the number of residents in order to open the dorm up to non-residents as well, Romanach said. No construction timetable has been set and the plans have not been submitted to the Trustees. Trustee Vice Chairperson Gloria Twine Chisum noted that the main building entrance will be on the side of the residence, in the alley between 3609-11 and the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house. "If our purpose is to diversify Locust Walk, it makes me uncomfortable that we may be appearing to?move residents off the walk," Chisum said. Because the historic facade "could not be changed at all," Romanach said, putting the main entrance on the side is the only way to make the building accessible to handicapped students. She added that other Locust Walk residences, such as the Delta Psi and Phi Gamma Delta fraternity houses, also have side entrances. The plans for the building include complete handicapped accessibility to all bathrooms and a special private bathroom on the top floor for quadraplegic students. The building will also be equipped with an elevator. This cost, Romanach said, is due in part to the extensive technology being installed in the rooms. "Every student will have their own individual access to satellite TV connections to 120 different channels, and PennNet computer connections," Romanach said. The "completely outfitted computer room" in the basement contributes to the cost as well. Gravina said the expense must be incurred in order to keep up with University plans to equip residences as extensively as possible. "This institution made a long-term commitment to hooking up the buildings," Gravina said. "Were not going to build a brand-new building and hook it up later."