Campus living and learning

Sam Houston State University - Piney Woods Hall

A student residence should be a home—a place that offers a strong sense of community, where students feel connected to their university and are comfortable. They should want to live on campus. Sam Houston State University envisioned Piney Woods Hall as a signature building that would act as a gateway to the campus and bring students together.

As part of the team selected to design Piney Woods Hall, we set out to create a space not just for residents, but for all students. On the ground floor, a large community space creates opportunities for all Sam Houston students to congregate, study, and collaborate. A sloped courtyard, about three-quarters the size of a football field, offers outdoor space that utilizes the grade to offer separated, multiuse seating areas where students can work together or independently.

Piney Woods Hall offers two distinct types of units—single- and double-room suites. Residents share common spaces that include a social lounge, a fully equipped community kitchen, and dedicated study rooms. Conveniently located next to the study rooms on each floor are guest bathrooms. On the second level, a faculty apartment for in-residence staff features a private exterior terrace, offering a quiet retreat.

With more than 40 students calling Piney Woods Hall home, this residence is more than a place to live. It’s a community where lasting relationships are being built.