The Richard A. Castro Residence Hall addresses a central challenge facing public universities: delivering high-quality student housing at a cost that preserves access. Designed to support first-generation students for whom affordability can determine the ability to attend college, the project is a financially self-sustaining residence hall that aligns housing costs with the university’s commitment to one of the most affordable four-year degree paths in the state.
The seven-story residence hall includes 966 beds, with resident assistants at a 1:35 ratio and community bathrooms designed at a 1:9 fixture ratio. Student life amenities are centralized on the ground floor to maximize efficiency and interaction, including a seminar room, package services, kitchen, laundry and vending, and collaborative study areas. Smaller study and breakout spaces are distributed throughout the upper floors to support daily use.
Affordability guided every major design decision. Amenities were intentionally centralized to reduce redundancy and construction cost, while material investments were concentrated in high-use shared spaces such as commons and study areas. Residential units utilize durable, economical finishes—including sealed concrete floors and exposed structure—balancing long-term durability with cost efficiency. This targeted approach helped achieve a low cost per bed while maintaining quality where it most directly impacts student experience.
The building’s design reinforces Texas State University’s campus character while responding to its Hill Country setting. Rather than inward-facing courtyards, the “spine and finger” layout opens residential wings to the surrounding landscape, providing views from every unit. Glass-enclosed study lounges at the ends of each wing connect students to the campus environment and emphasize the dual role of the building as a place to live and learn. Exterior massing, color banding, and material variation reduce the perceived scale of the seven-story structure and support a more human-centered presence on campus.
