Portfolio Campuses

Colorado State University North Housing District and Laurel Village

RVi reimagined Colorado State University’s North Housing District into a sustainable, future-ready campus community. Enhancing housing, circulation, and amenities for 2,500 students, the design celebrates authentic, place-based design inspired by the natural backdrop of the Colorado foothills.

Aerial view of CSU campus with solar-paneled buildings and colorful autumn trees.

Outdoor seating area with purple umbrellas at CSU North Housing, surrounded by greenery.

Outdoor seating area at CSU North Housing with trees showing autumn colors.

Campus courtyard at CSU North Housing with trees, paths, and purple umbrellas.

Outdoor seating area at CSU North Housing with stone benches and lush greenery.

Evening scene at CSU North Housing courtyard with people gathered around a fire pit.

Size

21 acres

Location

Fort Collins, Colorado

Client

Colorado State University

GOALS

With a vibrant and growing student population, CSU’s existing housing was still tied to its 1960s-era framework and in need of renewal. Circulation networks needed a refresh, and amenities no longer met the needs of an active student community. RVi (then Russell + Mills Studios) set out to create a modern, sustainable housing district that unified campus aesthetic and fostered a true sense of home for students.

OUTCOMES

The 21-acre North Housing District includes three renovated facilities and a new 900-bed complex known as Laurel Village. The project earned both LEED Gold and Platinum certifications and enhances circulation for pedestrians and the 80% of students who travel by bike. From the outset, we studied campus circulation patterns and listened to CSU Housing and Dining staff. Using 3D modeling and visualization tools, we helped stakeholders see the design come to life and build consensus throughout planning.

The design weaves campus life into the local landscape with amenities such as fire pits, amphitheaters, courtyards, and sculpted hills. Village-style pathways feature locally sourced boulders and cobble, while native plants and grading strategies integrate stormwater management with placemaking aesthetics. Water and energy conservation were central to our approach. Buildings incorporate solar panels, a passive katabatic cooling tower, and a Trombe parapet, blending sustainable innovation with timeless design.

The project’s achievements have been recognized with a Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Excellence Award and an Urban Design Award in Sustainable Design from the City of Fort Collins.