The Quad at the University of Central Oklahoma
A Community of Academic Success
KSQ designed The Transformative Learning Quadrangle, or “The Quad,” at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) to foster a vibrant and residential campus community while cultivating an environment conducive to academic achievement. Our team of architects transformed vacant fields into a four-story living-learning center. The new residence hall is thoughtfully equipped with amenities addressing both the social and academic needs of UCO students.
The Quad features an academic wing housing multipurpose space, a writing center, a Residence Director living suite, an open tutorial area, and a computer lab. Residents are accommodated in pods comprising five double-occupancy rooms and a shared bathroom.
In addition to these amenities, The Quad provides full community kitchens, allowing students to cook, share meals, or participate in cooking demonstrations by UCO's executive chef. The fourth floor houses a Creative Suite with a view of a courtyard, offering space for artistic student projects, complete with a sink for convenient cleanup.
Residents enjoy complimentary access to cable TV, Wi-Fi, and laundry facilities in their residence halls, enhancing their overall living experience. The Quad reflects KSQ's commitment to creating a dynamic and supportive campus environment for the UCO community.
Client: University of Central Oklahoma
Location: Edmond, OK
Size: 124,000 SF | 440 Beds
Completion Date: August 2015
Community Driven Design
To support these close-knit communities, every floor of The Quad is organized into "neighborhoods" hosting 40 residents each. Each neighborhood features a social lounge and two study rooms for peers to gather, study, or host events. The facility encompasses 12 social lounges, 22 study rooms, a 3,000 SF lobby, a movie screening room, and common laundry facilities.
These well-equipped common areas serve as hubs for socializing, learning, and collaboration. The intentional design of The Quad, paired with the university’s unique programs, not only facilitates the building of enduring relationships among peers but also encourages meaningful connections with professors. These connections, nurtured within this communal environment, are poised to become valuable assets in the professional realm after graduation.
UCO’s Living Learning Communities
The Quad Student Housing serves as the primary residence for the majority of the campus' Living Learning Communities (LLCs), designed to build a transformative learning environment. Participants in an LLC reside on the same hall as their peers within their academic field, fostering a culture that promotes learning as a lifestyle and instills a heightened level of investment and passion in each student's chosen discipline.
The Quad houses learning communities such as Fine Arts & Design, Criminal Justice, and Forensic Science. These communities are strategically structured to fully engage students in their respective academic fields. By immersing themselves in an environment where they are surrounded by like-minded peers and have access to specialized events and organizations, residents of The Quad are encouraged to embrace professional development and learning as a way of life.
The Quad is also home to UCO’s International House. This program enhances global engagement on campus by pairing students who have different geographical and cultural backgrounds. International students are paired with American students based on common interests. This unique program creates a safer and more comfortable experience for international students as they adapt to a new country and culture. It also creates opportunities for American students to broaden their knowledge and understanding of other cultures.
