Hunter Hall Opening Ceremony September 26

President Karen Gross WELCOMES STUDENTS TO THE grand OPENING of Hunter Hall

The excitement continues as Southern Vermont College opens its new architecturally beautiful living and learning space, Hunter Hall and Greenberg Atrium, to students.

For frequent updates and photos of the construction in process, select the timeframe you're interested in: 

Pictured above is an architectural rendering of the 41,000-square-foot structure’s façade. (Click here for a full-sized image)

On June 6, 2008, a formal Groundbreaking Ceremony was held, which marked the momentous project. Due to inclement weather the ceremony and program were held inside the Everett Mansion. Click here to view photos from the event.

The three-building, three-story structure will be located south of the current dormitories and cafeteria, across the pond that, as part of the construction project, will be restored and flanked by walking paths. It will be linked to the upper campus and the Everett Mansion by a walking path.

In the foreground of the picture below is a model of the new residence hall, with the pond and the current residence halls beyond.

The inset photograph at right presents the view from the residence hall site facing east toward the town of Bennington and Bald Mountain beyond. The Southwest Vermont Medical Center is just visible below.


An architectural model of the residence hall


A view of the site

With current residential capacity for 230 students in five residence halls, the expansion project comes in response to projected increases in enrollment over the next six years during which time the College anticipates expanding its student population to 750.

Every room in the complex will be a single in a suite style (with four to five single rooms per suite) as depicted in the drawings below of the room and suite floor plans. Each suite will have a shared full bath as well as a half-bath, and a shared common room. Each floor will also have a shared common lounge and study room.


Layout of a dorm room


Suite floor plan

Reproduced below is the floor plan for the residence hall’s main level. Please note that the entranceway to the complex opens to a large lounge area with a balcony, working fireplace and full kitchen that can be used for events.


Main floor layout

The new residence hall will be geared toward upper-class students.

Green Building Practices

Southern Vermont College is building Hunter Hall with a keen eye toward energy efficiency opportunities. Below is a summary of some of the green building practices implemented in Hunter Hall:

  • It is a super insulated building, with R-29 walls and R-50 ceilings. Also, the entire building is wrapped in 2" rigid insulation to minimize thermal transmission through the framing
  • Comprehensive air sealing to meet Efficiency Vermont standards
  • Low-E argon windows
  • Insulation, air sealing, and windows allow downsized mechanical systems, reducing energy consumption
  • High efficiency lighting and natural day lighting
  • Occupancy sensors to control lighting
  • Low-flow plumbing fixtures
  • Local materials sourced within a 500-mile radius used whenever possible
  • Large roof overhangs that protect the building from the summer sun while allowing sun to enter the building in winter
  • Prepared for future solar hot water heaters for domestic hot water
  • Heating system designed to accommodate a future wood pellet boiler that will supply heat for the entire building.
  • Constructed using building materials that will last for 50 years or more, significantly longer than the industry standard of 20 years
  • Building placement minimizes northern exposure.