Katey Woodruff, News Editor
Among many efforts by Denison University’s administration to expand the campus and the student body, they are now planning to construct multiple new houses on the north side of campus. They aim to create options for students that would have an “off-campus” feel while still having full access to the campus environment.
Currently, the plan is to build at least two new houses on the intramural fields past Moon Hall. The houses will sleep 10 upperclassmen students each in single occupancy rooms. They would have large communal sitting and eating areas that would be accessible, like other residence halls are now. The houses would also have large outdoor areas with patios, fire pits, picnic tables, and large yards for games or parties.
Matthew Teismann, president of MKC Architects – the company hired to design the houses – came to campus on Sept. 24 to host student feedback sessions. The company has a lot of previous experience designing and building campus housing for multiple different schools.
The four sessions that took place throughout the day invited students to give their opinions on different features of the houses. He stated that the purpose of the feedback sessions was to get student opinions on a space that he hopes will become a great spot for parties and socialization.
However, despite the homey feeling presented through design inspiration photos in the feedback session, some students are concerned that administration will cut corners and supply the house with basic residence hall furniture.
“I appreciate that the school is looking for more housing options and a different variety of housing options,” said Amber Rogers ‘29, who attended the first feedback session. “I would say it did seem like the architect had a lot of big ideas, but the school is still just going to do what they want.”
To get thorough feedback from the students at the session, Teismann provided pictures of different design options and had the students put green or red stickers on the images they liked. They then discussed the features that they felt worked or wouldn’t work, from a student perspective. Details ranging from having a step down to the fire pit to having red kitchen cabinets were up for student disagreement.
“You have to know your audience. I feel like anything you do, it just depends on whatever student is there at that time,” Rogers said. “It could either be a home, or it could be just a big party place, and that could change on a year to year basis.”
While logistics are still being debated by Residential Communities and Housing, the ultimate goal is to have more than four of these houses lining Washington Drive.