University News

Housing Changes Are a Breath of Fresh, Cool Air – Especially for Lawnies

By McGregor McCance, cmm9vg@virginia.edu

August 15, 2022

Aerial view of UVA's Alderman Road dormitories

The “new dorms” along Alderman Road were among the beneficiaries of summer improvements by Housing and Residence Life. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

Days from now, some 4,000 University of Virginia first-year students and their families will begin arriving to unload clothes, bedding, refrigerators and sundry other items that will help make residence hall rooms feel like home for the coming academic year.

UVA’s Housing & Residence Life department, Facilities Maintenance and other units of the University have been hard at work preparing – and now they’re ready for the arrival.

UVA Today checked in on some of the enhancements that will benefit first-years, who are required to live on Grounds, and returning students who have opted to continue on in University housing.

Two students unpack boxes in a Lawn Room

Students who moved into Lawn and Range rooms last week will enjoy air conditioning in them for the first time ever. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

Residence Halls

UVA operates more than 3 million square feet of residential living, featuring several styles and configurations, and three residential colleges. Facilities Management completed housekeeping and general maintenance in all of them during the summer, while UVA also hosted more than 100 summer conference programs in which guests stayed in University housing.

Housing & Residence Life refurbished heating and cooling units in Bice Hall, replaced aging carpet in Tuttle-Dunnington and Kellogg with “resilient” flooring, and added new common area furniture in Tuttle-Dunnington.

Seven residential buildings received new bedroom furniture, and new hand dryers were installed in all Alderman Road residence hall bathrooms.

Lambeth Upgrades

Upperclass students living in the Lambeth Field Apartments, and those who frequent Lambeth Commons, might notice some changes – or feel them. UVA completed a two-year HVAC replacement project, which added an air system that will improve dehumidification in the apartments. Now, all bedrooms in each suite-style apartment will have heating-and-cooling units. Previously, one bedroom in each apartment did not have a unit.

Construction equipment and stacks of boxes and supplies outside student apartment buildings

Facilities Maintenance workers this summer completed a two-year project to replace the HVAC systems at the Lambeth Field Apartments. (Contributed photo)

Lambeth Commons – a space near the apartments that includes lounge areas, laundry facilities, study space and a convenience store – welcomes students back with new furniture and a reconfigured second-floor space. Other improvements include new hardscape, added lighting, additional power to support events and food trucks, and new outdoor furniture in the Commons exterior patios.

Cool Air on the Lawn

For the first time in the University’s 200-year history, air conditioning is available in all Lawn and Range rooms. These rooms – original to the University’s iconic Academical Village and the most coveted housing for UVA students – were the last residential areas without air conditioning (though they are also the only student housing rooms that include working fireplaces).