November 8, 2005 - Ross Commons / LaForce Hall, a new dining and student residence hall, designed by Tai Soo Kim Partners for Middlebury College in Vermont was chosen by The American Institute of Architects Connecticut Chapter Design Awards Program 2005 for the execution of the Interior Design. One of the eight projects in the 'Built' category, it found the favor of the jury for its,

"Wonderful interior spaces where the assembly of materials is well thought out and executed. Wonderful use of natural light."

The project includes 67,000 s.f. of new construction: LaForce Hall - 5 story residence hall for seniors; and Ross Commons - 2 story dining and student activity center. It was the first implementation for a new residential system, devised to provide a more supportive environment for students by integrating student activity space for social and intellectual activities into the residential environment.

The design respects the College's distinctive architectural vocabulary and capitalizes upon the view corridors of the surrounding mountains. To avoid obstructing views of the mountains from adjacent buildings, the low two-story dining and gathering spaces were placed along the campus ridge and were designed to be nearly translucent. At night, the building is a beacon of the activities taking place within.

The project design, reflects Middlebury College's committment to sound environmental practices in both capital projects and campus life-style. Our design utilized granite cladding, tinted and triple-glazed curtain wall systems, state-certified Vermont hardwoods culled from properly managed renewable forests for interior finishes, and materials that do not emit volatile organic compounds.

The year 2006 marks the 36th anniversary for Tai Soo Kim Partners, which has earned a reputation for excellence in planning and design. The principles of sustainable design such as proper orientation of structure to enhance both the natural and the built environment have long served as the foundations of our design philosophy. Several of the firm's educational facilities have been designed to achieve LEED certification. For more information, please contact us.