Facilities: Robert Lewis Kahn Hall

George J. Kacek Hall, an Illinois Tech residential building, opened in August 2020. Named after alumnus George J. Kacek (EE ’54, M.S. ’55), the hall represents a revitalization of a legacy Ludwig Mies van der Rohe building. The renovation was overseen by alumnus and College of Architecture Professor Dirk Denison. The building integrates classic modernism with contemporary living standards, primarily catering to first- and second-year students. Its design emphasizes social interaction and academic support, featuring two large lounges on each floor. The 'social lounges' are situated on the south side of the building, while the 'study lounges' are located on the north side, offering views of downtown Chicago. Kacek Hall provides a variety of living arrangements, including single-, double-, and triple-occupancy rooms, all sharing common-use bathrooms. Each residential space is furnished with a twin-size bed, a desk, a chair, a dresser, and closet space for each resident. The beds are designed to be bunkable, providing flexibility for room configuration. The facility ensures student safety and convenience with 24-hour staffing by Community Desk Assistants, requiring HawkCard tap access at the main entrance and community desk. Beyond living spaces, the hall offers comprehensive amenities designed to enhance the student experience. These include lounge areas on every floor for relaxation and community building, as well as laundry and fitness facilities conveniently located in the lower level. High-speed internet access and cable TV services are provided by Comcast, ensuring students have reliable connectivity and entertainment options. The hall's commitment to creating a well-rounded living environment is further supported by its unique architectural design. The residential floors are configured in a “pod-style” arrangement, where student rooms are organized around central study and social lounge areas. This innovative layout allows corridors and shared spaces to receive natural light and views from all four sides of the building. This design choice aims to mitigate a common drawback of traditional dormitory living—the lack of natural light—thereby creating a more inviting and comfortable atmosphere for residents. The hall's room dimensions are approximately: Single Room: 9' 8" wide X 11' 6" deep X 8' high, with a closet of 41" wide X 22" deep X 7' 1" high. Double Room: 9' 5" wide X 11' 6" deep X 8' high, with a closet of 52" wide X 22" deep X 7' 1" high. Triple Room: 9' 10" wide X 22' deep X 7' 1" high, with a closet of 18' 9" wide X 11' 7" deep X 8' high. #StudentHousing #UniversityLife #ArchitecturalRenovation #ModernistDesign #CampusAmenities #ResidentialLiving #IllinoisTech

Robert Morris University (RMU) offers a comprehensive residential experience with 13 residence halls designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment for students. Each room is equipped with both Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet connections, supporting personal computers, laptops, smart TVs, and gaming systems. For internet issues, students can contact the IT Help Desk. All residence halls provide free laundry facilities, including washers, dryers, folding tables, and sinks, accessible 24 hours a day. Comfort is prioritized with central air and heating systems in every residence hall, allowing students to adjust room temperatures to their preference. Rooms are fully furnished, providing each student with a desk, desk chair, dresser, and either a closet or wardrobe. Traditional rooms, apartment bedrooms, and Washington Hall feature twin XL beds, while Yorktown Hall offers double-sized beds. Apartment buildings also come fully furnished with a complete kitchen setup, including a stove, oven, full-size refrigerator, microwave, kitchen island or table with seating for four or five, living room seating, and coffee and end tables. RMU Dining Services provides an All-Access Meal Plan, offering unlimited entry to the PNC Colonial Cafe and flexible dining dollars or meal equivalency options at all dining locations. The focus is on fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared by dedicated chefs to ensure well-rounded meal options. Further enhancing the student experience, lounge spaces were renovated in 2019 to create more comfortable and inviting areas for studying, socializing, and relaxation. These lounges include study tables and entertainment zones for gaming and movie nights. Yorktown, Hamilton, and Marshall Halls also feature modern community kitchens, enabling students to cook together. Various events are regularly hosted in these lounge areas. Convenient shuttle services are available, particularly for Yorktown Hall residents, with shuttles running every ten minutes to and from campus 24/7. Beyond the residence halls, students have easy access to a range of campus opportunities. The state-of-the-art 45,000-square-foot Student Recreation & Fitness Center, opened in 2017, serves as a hub for indoor club sports, intramural sports, group exercise, and physical wellness programs. The UPMC Events Center, a 4,000-seat multi-functional arena, hosts meetings, conferences, concerts, special events, and is home to RMU Colonials Men's and Women's Basketball and Women's Volleyball, with student-priced offers often available. The Elaine Boyd Library, located in the Patrick Henry Center, offers quiet and group study spaces, computers, whiteboards, and extensive print, electronic, and digital collections, including a 24/7 quiet study area and a Textbook Reserve Collection. Additionally, the Office of Residence Life, the Division of Student Life, and various student organizations host thousands of on-campus events throughout the academic year, including homecoming celebrations, sporting events, Bobby Mania, and the annual RHA haunted house, all easily accessible to residential students. #ResidenceLife #CampusAmenities #StudentHousing #CollegeLife #RMUCampus #StudentExperience #DiningServices #StudentWellness

The H-House, located in a dense neighborhood in Surat, India, addresses the challenge of creating private living spaces that maintain a strong connection to nature. The design, conceptualized by Co.lab Design Studio, reverses the traditional bungalow-in-a-garden model by integrating gardens directly within the house's structure. This approach ensures that residents experience a continuous connection with green spaces, despite the urban setting. The project was completed in 2019 and spans an area of 19,375 square feet. The architectural strategy for the H-House focuses on intertwining the built environment with natural elements. The design incorporates various green spaces, such as courtyards, terraces, and internal gardens, which are seamlessly integrated into the floor plan. This allows natural light and ventilation to penetrate deep into the interior, enhancing the living experience. The choice of materials and the overall aesthetic contribute to a sense of openness and tranquility, contrasting with the busy surroundings. The house features a sophisticated interplay of concrete, glass, and wood. Large glass panels and strategically placed windows blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas, offering expansive views of the internal gardens and maximizing daylight penetration. Concrete elements are utilized for their structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, providing a contemporary and robust framework. Wooden accents add warmth and natural texture to the interiors, creating a balanced and inviting atmosphere. The interior layout is designed to facilitate a fluid progression through spaces, with each area offering unique visual and functional connections to the integrated green zones. Living areas, bedrooms, and common spaces are arranged around these natural pockets, ensuring privacy while fostering a sense of expansive living. The design emphasizes functionality and comfort, providing a luxurious and spacious home tailored to the owner's desire for a natural retreat within the city. Co.lab Design Studio acted as both the architects and landscape designers for the H-House, ensuring a cohesive vision for the project. Key consultants included Essact, Mandala Design Studio, and Malwawala Engineering Services Private Limited for consulting, and Sai Consultants for engineering. The photographs by Sebastian Zachariah capture the essence of the design, showcasing the integration of nature, the use of diverse materials, and the overall ambiance of the H-House. #ResidentialArchitecture #HouseDesign #CoLabDesignStudio #Surat #India #IntegratedGardens #ModernArchitecture #ConcreteGlassWood #UrbanLiving #ArchitecturalPhotography

RiverView Hall, part of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's housing options, is situated on the west bank of the Milwaukee River, offering residents scenic views of the river basin. Built in 2008, the hall accommodates 476 residents and is located at the intersection of North Avenue and Commerce Street. It is a key component of the "South Campus Experience," which encourages students to explore Milwaukee and connect with their peers. The residence hall is notable for displaying artwork created by students, staff, and members of the local community, integrated into its interior design. Residents benefit from direct access to the Oak Leaf trail, facilitating outdoor activities. The surrounding area provides convenient access to various amenities, including a grocery store, pharmacy, and an indoor climbing gym, all within walking distance. Additionally, a selection of Milwaukee eateries and entertainment venues is easily reachable across the Milwaukee River bridge on North Avenue. RiverView Hall offers suites, with individual room measurements potentially varying. Each suite is equipped with two extra-long twin beds, two dressers, two desks and chairs, two small filing cabinets, and a large walk-through closet. The rooms are carpeted for comfort. All suites feature a private bathroom with a toilet and shower, a vanity with two sinks, and individual climate control, including air conditioning. The flooring throughout the suites is made of durable materials. Building amenities contribute to a comprehensive living experience. These include a cafeteria for dining, WiFi internet access throughout the building, and a fully-furnished kitchen. Lounges are available on every floor, with two per floor, providing communal spaces for relaxation and study. The hall maintains a 24-hour security and service desk to ensure resident safety and support. For entertainment, there is a South Campus Cinema and a secure outdoor patio equipped with lights and heaters. Residents can also enjoy table games. Limited garage parking is available. The close proximity to the Milwaukee Oak Leaf Trail enhances opportunities for recreation. For prospective residents, detailed information regarding costs is available on the university's housing website, specifically under the residence hall section. Virtual room tours for RiverView Hall are also provided, allowing individuals to virtually explore the living spaces. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee collects website visitor information, and details on data usage and sharing are outlined in the university's website privacy statement. #UniversityHousing #StudentResidence #MilwaukeeRiver #CampusLife #ResidenceHallAmenities #SuiteLiving #StudentArt #OakLeafTrail

The article presents the "House LU" project by KC Design Studio, located in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and completed in 2024. This project focuses on the intricate design considerations for a townhouse compared to a standard apartment, emphasizing the need to optimize space utilization, privacy, and safety. The design prioritizes aligning the spatial plan with the residents' preferences and daily routines, ensuring a highly functional and personalized living environment within the townhouse typology. The overall area of the project is 330 square meters, with photography credited to Yi-Hsien Lee Photography. Key aspects of the design approach for House LU include a meticulous assessment of the client's specific needs and desires. The architects aimed to create a home that not only provides comfort and aesthetic appeal but also supports the family's lifestyle. This involved careful planning of the functional zones across multiple floors, a characteristic challenge in townhouse design. The integration of various living spaces, such as the living room, dining area, bedrooms, and other utility areas, was executed to ensure a smooth flow and logical progression between them. The visual documentation of the project highlights areas like the living room with its sofa, a dining area featuring a table and chairs, and a staircase, showcasing the interior design choices. The project demonstrates how design can be tailored to maximize the potential of a townhouse structure. Considerations for privacy and safety, often more complex in multi-level residential units, were integral to the planning process. The goal was to establish distinct private and public zones while maintaining a sense of openness and connectivity where appropriate. The selection of materials, lighting, and furnishings likely played a crucial role in defining the atmosphere and functionality of each space, contributing to the overall coherence of the design. The architectural firm KC Design Studio, with interior designers Kuan-huan Liu, Chun-ta Tsao, and Huang, Hsuan-Hsuan, aimed to deliver a solution that transcends conventional apartment layouts by offering a more personalized and adaptable living experience. The project's focus on user-centric design principles ensures that every element of the townhouse is thoughtfully placed to enhance the inhabitants' daily life. This includes optimizing natural light and ventilation, incorporating storage solutions, and selecting finishes that contribute to a serene and comfortable ambiance. The text emphasizes that the design goes beyond mere aesthetic considerations, delving into the practicalities of living in a townhouse. By addressing both the functional demands and the personal preferences of the residents, House LU stands as an example of tailored architectural design in a compact urban setting. The comprehensive approach to space planning and interior design reflects a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by townhouse typology in Hsinchu, Taiwan. #ResidentialArchitecture #ApartmentInteriors #InteriorDesign #TaiwanArchitecture #HsinchuDesign #KCDesignStudio #TownhouseDesign