Balfour Beatty Design-Build Team Breaks Ground on 130-Bed Residence Hall at Catawba College

July 29, 2025

SALSBURY, N.C. - Balfour Beatty, in design-build partnership with Page and LandDesign, has broken ground on a new 130-bed residence hall at Catawba College-the first new building constructed on campus in more than 20 years. The groundbreaking ceremony, held April 29, marks the start of construction on a project that will expand the college's residential capacity and strengthen its investment in student life.

Mark Warner, Lead Designer of Page, shares that the 42,879-square-foot residence hall is designed as a living-learning hub for upper-division students, pairing modern residential spaces with the collegiate gothic architectural style that defines Catawba's historic campus.

The building will provide individual rooms alongside shared spaces intentionally programmed to foster connection and well-being, including three study rooms on each floor, a large ground-floor gathering space and an expansive outdoor patio. Centrally located, the residence hall reinforces campus walkability and offers easy access to dining, academics and student amenities.

The milestone project is designed to meet Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) standards, one of the most rigorous benchmarks for energy efficiency and indoor air quality. With an energy use intensity (EUI) target of 35 or less, the residence hall incorporates geothermal conditioning, high-performance insulation, airtight construction and energy recovery ventilation. These strategies reflect Catawba's sustainability commitments and the shared focus on environmental responsibility across the design-build team.

"We are honored to partner with Catawba College on this monumental project," said Jeff Sandeen, Balfour Beatty president in the Carolinas. "Together with Page and LandDesign, we are committed to delivering a living-learning community that reflects the university's values and advances its vision for sustainability and student engagement."

The residence hall will welcome students in Fall 2026.