Re-imagining the home
away from home

With 52% of undergraduate students and 94% of graduate students living off campus, Cornell University faces critique in lack of quality student housing and living options.

This project is an open-exploration on this issue, through surgically tailoring the design of a habitat and village to the needs of college students.

Existing housing options in Ithaca reflect the polarized living experiences. The single-family homes provide quality work-life balance, but exacerbate the sense of isolation from student community. Dormitory buildings nurture a student’s social life, but with the many shared amenities and focus on economy of space, many lament the lack of privacy. Serving students with schedules that requires diverse programs, the habitat needs to reflect adaptability and opportunity to customize.