The Greek Village at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa opened in 2005 to meet the housing and educational needs of more than 300 students in a vibrant, mentoring environment. The complex is comprised of an interconnected residential community dedicated to academic excellence, values-based leadership, community service and philanthropy.
Today, the community serves as the home of 14 sororities and fraternities, offering residents the modern amenities of fully-furnished, two- or three-story villas featuring community kitchens, living and laundry rooms, WiFi, cable TV, and recently upgraded common restrooms.
“The Greek Village exemplifies USF’s commitment to providing all students with a deeply rewarding educational, social, and cultural experience,” says George Tharin, a senior project architect at the Clearwater, Florida office of Williamson Design Associates, Inc. “The university has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into the constant upgrade and expansion of a spectacularly beautiful campus recognized worldwide for its cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial spirit that stretches across 180 different disciplines.
“The continual upkeep and renovation of its residential areas are no exception. There is a competitive market for living spaces throughout the greater Tampa Bay region. USF’s goal is to keep as many students as possible on campus through the ongoing availability of affordable, ultrasafe, and incredibly comfortable dorm rooms, apartments, and houses.”
RESTROOM RENOVATION
In 2019, the latest set of upgrades included the complete renovation of the restrooms and showers located within each of the Greek Village’s 14 villas. This involved the design of a timeless, neutral look that added Scranton Product’s Aria Partitions to each restroom.
“Privacy followed by improved aesthetics, durability, and low-maintenance were the top priorities of university officials,” explainS Stacey Johnston, the interior designer and Greek Village project manager at Williamson Design. “We researched numerous alternatives before discovering Aria Partitions. In addition to being cost-effective and beautiful, the client loved the added privacy and security provided by the full-length partitions as well as the rich aesthetics.”
Adhering to a tight, 3-month turnaround, each of the group restrooms and showers at the Greek Village were outfitted with more than 200 full-height, sandcastle Aria Partitions with arched profiles from May to July 2019. This was performed at all 14 villas, with two to three restrooms and two to three shower stalls within each building.
DESIGN ADVANTAGES
Made of sturdy HDPE for commercial and institutional environments, Scranton Products’ Aria Partitions were developed to add an enhanced level of comfort and privacy as well as elegance, warmth, and charm to virtually any enclosed or private room. This included removing sightlines with a continuous edge-mounted hinge and greatly improving aesthetics with a design that does not use face-mounted hardware like traditional partition systems. Another advantage was Aria’s sleek, easy-to-clean and low-maintenance design available with 17 innovative door designs, 7 panel designs, and 27 rich colors and textures to accommodate nearly any style or décor.
CLOSING THOUGHT
“Everyone from USF administrators to the Greek students were so thrilled with the look and privacy of the Aria partitions that they’ve become the standard for all new university restroom/shower renovations,” adds Tharin. “The response was so overwhelming that our firm has proposed Aria for just about all of our new institutional design work. In a rapidly changing world filled with uncertainty, Aria provides the safety, comfort, and privacy that many of our clients currently desire.”
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With more than 30 years of experience, Scranton Products is the industry leader in plastic bathroom partitions and lockers. Endless design options and an array of designer colors and textures provide confidence and elegant style in every project, creating a lasting impression. Proudly made in the USA and constructed from premium-grade solid plastic, Scranton products’ unmatched durability withstands dents, scratches, corrosion, graffiti, and mildew. To learn more about Scranton Products’ Aria Partitions, visit www.scrantonproducts.com or call 800.445.5148.