This project deals with the high density often associated with dormitory dwelling,
especially in a large campus such as the University of Chicago. The proposed dormitory
contains single, double, and quad units as well as apartment units.
The use of linear floor configurations dramatically increases the inhabitable outdoor
area while also providing natural light and breeze to more inhabitants. This dense configuration
also creates microclimates within the complex that shade from harsh sun, wind, and temperatures.
When researching this project, a major precedent from which the dorm grew was Kowloon Walled City in China.
This city provided living densities never before seen in city life, and as a result, became a place that
fundamentally changed the way humans interacted amongst themselves and with their environments.
The proximity of living created a dense social network and an interesting community, and the crowding of
apartments and businesses blocked out the sun. The layout of the city was ever-changing, so many people
navigated the maze through the use of scent. The dormitory itself, through the use of formal and programmatic
qualities, attempts to become a community much like this. Introducing complexities at differing resolutions
allows community ownership as a whole.
