By AUBREY HAWKE
Waltham Times Contributing Writer
Brandeis University presented its plans for a new 650-bed dormitory to city residents at an informational meeting last week.
The university plans to start construction on the five-story residence in May 2025, aiming to have the dorm ready for occupancy in January 2027.
The residence will consist of two separate buildings curved around a shared courtyard. The plans call for 80% of the units to be double bedrooms and 20% single bedrooms.
The space also will feature several shared areas such as study rooms, kitchens and common spaces. Each floor will be subdivided into 50-bed “neighborhoods” which will share kitchens and common spaces. These neighborhoods are designed to strengthen students’ community experience.
Brandeis officials said it wants to use the building as a temporary space to house residents from elsewhere on campus as the university renovates older dorms.
Waltham residents and neighbors of the Brandeis campus attending the event peppered presenters with questions and concerns.
One resident voiced concern about how Brandeis police will handle the potentially increased number of students living on campus. Another neighbor of Brandeis asked about the fire safety of the project.
The Brandeis presenters assured that the new structure’s wood components would be laminated and fire-resistant and that it has a sturdy metal stud system.
Lastly, a resident asked about how the building, which will run on electricity, will be handled by the Brandeis power grid. The presenters explained that the electric demand of this building will fit into their current power allotment.
A Brandeis representative explains the new dorm project. 
An aerial view of the 50-student”neighborhoods” the dorm will be divided into. 
A poster shows some of the construction logistics of the future construction site. 
A poster shows the transportation plan for the construction team that will work on the Brandeis site. 
A rendering of the proposed residence hall. 
A 3D model of the proposed 5-story Brandeis dorm. Photo by Aubrey Hawke.
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