Bellarmine Hall

Balmoral House, designed by architects Clinton Murray and Polly Harbison, is situated in Sydney's Balmoral, a location renowned for its scenic views of beaches, bay waters, and the bush-covered headlands that define the entry to Middle Harbour, with Grotto Point Lighthouse visible in the distance. Unlike typical houses in this area that prioritize capturing views for their occupants, often presenting a closed facade to the street, Balmoral House adopts a different approach. Its main living spaces are strategically designed to span over a central outdoor garden and sculpture courtyard, allowing passers-by to see through the site to the lighthouse and the harbour beyond. This intentional design choice signifies that the house is more than just a private residence; it also serves as a point of connection to the broader community and natural environment. The house demonstrates a dual intention: to protect and contain its inhabitants while simultaneously extending an invitation to guests and neighbors through a carefully orchestrated procession of spaces. For instance, there is no conventional front wall; instead, a modest setback and an open fence create an accessible entry, offering a full view of a civic-like outdoor space adorned with sculptures. A secondary street entry leads through this courtyard to an undercroft, which functions as an outdoor foyer for a hall where concerts are held, with music audible from the street. Similarly, the rear garden edges are ceded to the surrounding bushland reserve, conveying a sense of generosity and shared space. Art plays a fundamental role in the design of Balmoral House, envisioned as an integral component of the living environment. A piece by Antony Gormley, a prone figure with outstretched arms, is placed in the undercroft to spark curiosity. Inspired by artist Isamu Noguchi's philosophy of shaping space so that art integrates seamlessly with its surroundings, the architects collaborated with the owners, who are avid art collectors. The building's form, setting, landscape, and the extensive art collection are conceived as a fluid and interconnected system. Art is deliberately positioned throughout the house, including pieces at the entry that challenge traditional views of the water, and a central stairwell designed to showcase selected artworks. Natural light is meticulously utilized to highlight different spaces at various times of the day, further enhancing the artistic experience. The influence of Noguchi is evident in both the interior and exterior spaces, which feature box-like sculptural forms crafted from precisely cast concrete. These forms create diverse spatial experiences, from the human-scaled intimacy of the living room and library/study to the dramatic soaring height of the kitchen and the fluid circulation around the main bedroom. A unique feature is the powder room, a round, dusty red space with circular fittings and furniture, featuring an exaggerated high ceiling that evokes a whimsical, Alice in Wonderland-like effect. Ultimately, Balmoral House reflects the owners' inquisitive and open perspective on the world. It is a mature architectural work resulting from a collaborative effort between the architects and owners, creating a personal sanctuary that also facilitates shared enjoyment and challenges conventional expectations. Through thoughtful and skilled design, the architects have allowed their art to "disappear" into the richness of light, ideas, place, and community, crafting a home that is both a private retreat and a communal asset. #BalmoralHouse #ResidentialArchitecture #SculpturalDesign #ArtIntegration #CommunityConnection #ConcreteConstruction #LandscapeIntegration #SydneyArchitecture #PollyHarbison

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

In the early 1930s, the École libre des sciences politiques, later known as Sciences Po, experienced significant overcrowding, with approximately 2,000 students attending in facilities originally designed for 350. The primary lecture hall, a source of pride from the 1890s, was no longer adequate for the large number of students attending popular lectures. This necessitated a major renovation project. In 1933, René Seydoux, the young registrar, successfully advocated for extensive renovations to the director, Eugène d’Eichthal. The construction of a new lecture hall wing began promptly, built over the garden at 29 rue Saint-Guillaume. This architectural endeavor was designed to optimize space, light, and ventilation. The new wing effectively addressed the overcrowding issue by incorporating two new lecture halls, seating 500 and 300 respectively, along with two large classrooms and a gymnasium. The existing library, housed in an adjacent wing, expanded by utilizing the space of the redundant former lecture hall. The new library section, despite being north-facing, was equipped with wide windows, providing natural light, a significant improvement over the old, windowless, gas-lit library. To prevent the new structure from overshadowing the garden, it was designed in a pyramid shape with setbacks on each floor, ensuring sunlight continued to reach the garden. Within the lecture hall, significant attention was given to climate control. Large blowers in the basement supplied ventilation through numerous Art Deco-grated air vents installed in the floor and along the walls. The hall featured a sloping floor and a mezzanine balcony, meticulously planned to offer unobstructed views for all students. Acoustic considerations led to the walls being covered with a rubber surface to enhance sound quality. For seating, the School collaborated with Jean Prouvé, whose workshops developed innovative two-seater desks. These desks featured oak seats and writing surfaces, connected by a central frame made of folded sheet metal, a signature material of Prouvé known for its ergonomic, economical, and solid qualities. The Boutmy lecture hall has largely retained its original design from the 1930s, with minor updates such as modern stage furniture to allow for a clearer rostrum, digital screens replacing the old blackboard, and safety upgrades to the balcony. The new wing's classrooms and lecture halls were named in tribute to the early directors and professors of the École libre. The main lecture hall was named in honor of Émile Boutmy, the institution's founding father, who established its intellectual vision and curriculum, managed fundraising, acquired properties, and protected the faculty from state nationalization. The second-floor lecture hall initially honored Anatole Leroy-Beaulieu for his expertise in Russian and Eastern affairs and his stance against prejudice. The third-floor classrooms were dedicated to diplomatic history professors Albert Sorel and Albert Vandal. The basement gym was named after René Seydoux, who was instrumental in its construction. In 1994, the second-floor lecture hall was renamed after director Jacques Chapsal, who reformed Sciences Po post-WWII, with Anatole Leroy Beaulieu's name joining Albert Sorel's above the third-floor classrooms, replacing Albert Vandal. Hermartin & C°, comprising Henri Martin and his son Hubert, were the architects responsible for the 1934 lecture hall wing, admired for their professional approach and ability to integrate modern architectural elements thoughtfully. They also designed the main hall, known as La Péniche, and unified the facade of buildings from 23 to 29 Rue Saint-Guillaume in 1952. Their contributions extended to the modern library building at 30 Rue Saint-Guillaume in 1963 and the 56, Saints-Pères building in 1979. During the May 1968 student protests, the Boutmy lecture hall was renamed "Che Guevara" and served as the central hub for general assemblies and student council meetings, embodying the students' demands for greater involvement in the school's governance. Throughout its history, the Boutmy lecture hall has hosted numerous prestigious figures, including Robert Badinter, Kofi Annan, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Karl Lagerfeld, Dany Laferrière, Condoleezza Rice, Michel Serre, and Justin Trudeau, who have delivered major conferences, election speeches, and inaugural lectures. The stage also regularly showcases student talent through speech competitions, theatrical performances, and musical comedies, highlighting the hall's integral role in both academic and extracurricular life at Sciences Po. #SciencesPo #ÉmileBoutmyLectureHall #ArchitecturalRenovation #HigherEducationHistory #JeanProuvé #FrenchArchitecture #StudentLife #HistoricBuildings

Wengatz Hall, established in 1965, serves as a residence for over 250 male students at Taylor University. It is one of two all-male residence halls on campus, featuring a traditional T-shaped corridor layout across three floors, divided into eight distinct wings. Each wing fosters its own identity, traditions, and community, contributing to a vibrant student living experience. The hall is notable for its unique traditions and events, including themed "pick-a-dates" and a variety of Open Houses. Past Open House themes have included "3rd East’s Future Great Dads of America," "2nd West’s Techno Night," and "1st West’s Zoo Open House." Beyond these events, Wengatz Hall celebrates a week-long "Wengatz Week" in the fall, participates in activities such as Melon and Gourd, the Wengatz Olympics, Tolf (golf played with a tennis ball), and Wall Ball, among others. These activities are designed to build camaraderie and a strong sense of community among residents. Prospective residents and their families can access detailed information regarding furniture dimensions, furniture configurations, and room measurements through provided PDF documents. A virtual tour of Wengatz Hall is available, offering insights into daily life within the residence hall and highlighting its traditional corridor style. The tour emphasizes the individuality and community spirit present in each wing. Further information about the special themed Open Houses is also accessible, showcasing the creativity and engagement of the residents. An example provided is the "Third East Wengatz throws its creative Future Great Dads of America open House every year," illustrating the hall's dedication to unique and memorable events. For those interested in connecting with the Wengatz Hall community, an Instagram account is maintained, providing updates and glimpses into the hall's activities. The Residence Life team is also available to assist with any inquiries, with Jacob Neu serving as the current Wengatz Hall Director. #ResidenceLife #StudentHousing #CampusLife #TaylorUniversity #WengatzHall #MaleDorm #StudentActivities #UniversityTraditions #RoomDimensions

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

Stabile Hall, inaugurated in the Fall of 1999 and named in honor of an Engineering School alumnus and donor, is a residential facility at Pratt Institute primarily designed for new undergraduate students. It accommodates approximately 250 first-year students within four to five-person suites. Each suite is comprised of either two joined double rooms or a combined double and triple room, and includes a private bathroom, for which residents are responsible for maintaining its cleanliness. The typical room dimensions, excluding a small entry foyer, are 12 feet by 12 feet. The building's design has received accolades, featuring kitchenettes on every floor and a substantial common lounge on the ground floor. Additionally, smaller workrooms and lounge areas are distributed across the upper floors, fostering a conducive environment for both living and studying. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, which provides heating during colder periods. Stabile Hall actively supports a Healthy Choices Community and hosts First-Year Cohort Living Learning Communities, promoting a holistic and integrated student experience. It remains closed during the summer months, except for specific conference groups. Each resident room is furnished with standard campus provisions, including an extra-long twin bed, a dresser, a desk, a chair, and a bookshelf. The hall offers amenities such as a basement laundry facility and comprehensive Wi-Fi access throughout the building. Students residing in Stabile Hall are mandated to subscribe to a meal plan provided by Avi Fresh. Information regarding the associated costs for living in Stabile Hall is available through the residential life and housing department. Prospective residents can view a video tour of Stabile Hall on YouTube and access detailed floor plans online. #StudentHousing #PrattInstitute #ResidenceLife #FirstYearStudents #CampusAmenities #AwardWinningDesign #LivingLearningCommunity #StudentAccommodation