With a surging enrollment and a commitment to remain a residential liberal arts college, Dillard University needed to upgrade its existing dormitories. Williams Hall, with 160 beds, was in the worst condition of all the dorms after more than 50 years of continuous use. Clement & Wynn’s Program Manager led the project team that devised a plan for enlarging the building on the same footprint. The historic front wing facing the main quadrangle was restored, and three new wings were added in the rear creating 225 beds in a suites-style arrangement. Four students in two rooms share a toilet, shower, and common vestibule. The $7 million project was completed in 18 months at a cost of $34,000 per bed.

During the planning process, Clement & Wynn led the space programming and visitation to other peer schools to develop new guidelines for residence halls at Dillard. A mock-up room was constructed on campus and equipped with samples from furniture manufacturers. Feedback was received from students and housing officials who visited the mock-up, completed surveys, and commented on the final layout. Intensive value engineering reviews on two successive rounds resulted in a guaranteed maximum price within the project budget. Today, Williams Hall is the new standard for student living on-campus and the most popular residence hall.