Building a Living-Learning Community at USC Village
At the University of Southern California, the new USC Village represents one of the most ambitious expansions in the institution’s history. More than just additional housing, the project was conceived as a living-learning community. An environment where students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being are supported by the spaces they inhabit. Built on the belief that strong social networks are a key driver of academic success, the Village integrates study rooms, classrooms, lounges, retail, and outdoor gathering areas into a cohesive environment that encourages continuous learning, engagement, and connection.
Designed as a vibrant extension of USC’s central campus, the Village expands undergraduate housing by 25 percent while extending the campus footprint by nearly 30 percent. Students and faculty live in suite-style residences arranged into seven residential colleges above active ground-floor uses, fostering interaction both vertically within buildings and horizontally across the campus landscape. The mixed-use model enables students to transition seamlessly between academic and social life, while the integration of retail, dining, and service amenities strengthens the campus fabric.
The Village also plays a critical role in USC’s relationship with South Los Angeles. Wide, brick-lined pedestrian walkways, multiple points of entry, and proximity to public transit make the development accessible and welcoming to the surrounding community. Restaurants, shops, and outdoor plazas are open to both students and neighbors, creating an inclusive environment where the university and community intersect. Carefully considered security measures—including keycard access, a security gating system, and biometric technologies like facial recognition and thumbprint scanning—ensure that residents and visitors feel comfortable and safe within the development.
The design and delivery of the project required both vision and precision. Precast concrete panels fabricated off-site allowed the complex to be constructed in just 30 months without compromising quality. The result is a campus expansion that marries efficiency with durability, delivering high-quality housing and learning spaces at an unprecedented scale.
Ultimately, USC Village stands as a model for higher education in the 21st century. By blending education, community, and mixed-use development, it redefines what a campus can be: a place where students learn and live in equal measure, where faculty and staff feel supported, and where the university’s presence enriches its surrounding neighborhood. More than a housing project, USC Village is a bold statement about the role of design in shaping not only academic success but also community connection and identity.
“USC Village is the biggest thing USC has ever done, and probably ever will do.”
