Meharry Living and Learning Center

ARCHITECT OF RECORD / PROJECT DESIGNER/ INTERIOR DESIGN
MOODY NOLAN
1625 Broadway, 4th Floor
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Phone: (615) 386-9690

Beryl Alder
Marina Ntoupi
Josh Thomas
Brian Tibbs
Jade Naro

Burdened by Nashville's rising cost of living and limited housing supply, many college students are relocating farther from campus, away from academic resources and community support, in search of affordable housing. The Living and Learning Center at Meharry Medical College demonstrates how cost-effective design solutions can increase affordable housing amidst tumultuous market conditions to provide hospitable student spaces. As one of the oldest and largest historically black academic health institutions, the center offers 126 affordable one-bedroom apartment-style units within a supportive facility equipped with academic and social gathering spaces to support the next generation of diverse healthcare professionals.

Once a surface parking lot, the six-story center now boldly defines Meharry College’s southeastern, corner lot edge, forming an inviting gateway into campus and connection to the adjacent North Nashville community. The facility comprises two L-shaped wings connected by the building’s central core, which diverge in opposite directions to create two protected outdoor terraces. This massing strategy breaks down the building’s monolithic volume, introducing ample daylight across all public and residential spaces. A podium-style parking garage maximizes the slopping site – effectively tucking parking below grade – to support a lively pedestrian streetscape along Meharry’s main north-south artery.

Striations of metal panels and generous spans of glazing animate the facility's predominantly brick exterior: a refined move that breaks down the brick volume to establish a contemporary visual presence while maintaining a contextually sensitive response to Meharry's historic red brick campus. The ground floor houses retail, classrooms, and smaller social gathering spaces that provide equitable access to campus resources for Meharry's extended student population, activating the pedestrian realm.

Equipped with two spacious classrooms and smaller study areas, the community-centered residential facility extends teaching and learning beyond the traditional classroom by offering flexible spaces for students and faculty to engage in group study, tutoring sessions, and scholarly presentations. Apartment units and resident spaces feature amenities akin to those found in nearby market-rate apartments, including in-unit laundry, a fitness center, a mailroom, and shared community spaces, but without the associated expense.