The commons room in the new Keohane residence hall is spacious enough to encourage student programming. Photo by Megan Morr

Durham, NC - Marking a return to a house-based residential system, Duke's first new residence hall built since 2005 is planned to delight the 148 students who will move in this week.   

"It's a stunning living space for our students," said Steve Nowicki, dean and vice provost for undergraduate education. "We are pleased to have been able to do this despite the economic downturn."

The fourth wing of Keohane Quad on West Campus contains spacious, lofty living rooms, adjoining kitchens and huge windows.  Natural light illuminates the hallways and a combination of natural wood and exposed pipes add elements of hi-tech architecture throughout.  About 40 percent of the bedrooms are singles, many of which belong to suites and share a common space. There are study rooms with walls to write on and a major new commons area with atrium event space and an outdoor plaza that connects the hall to Edens residences and the renovated McClendon Tower.

In its first semester of operation, the wing will house primarily juniors who studied away from campus in the fall. Starting in the fall, however, it will serve as home to two Duke houses in the new residential system.

All sophomores, juniors and seniors living on campus will be members of a house to which they can return in subsequent years. They will be able to establish a long-term home with friends spanning class years. The typical Duke house will range in size from 30 to 90 students.

"Our return to a house-based residential system, something that characterized student life at Duke from the late 70s to early 90s, is intended to encourage a sense of community outside the classroom," Nowicki said. "Through extensive discussions beginning several years ago, students made it clear that they wanted more continuity and connection across class years in their residential experience. We designed this wing specifically to support this model with features such as suites to attract seniors."

Each house has a separate entrance and was designed to have the living room be the first area students encounter," added Joe Gonzalez, associate dean of residence life.  "It may seem like a little thing, but we know a stronger sense of community develops when houses have a space to ‘see and be seen' right at the front entrance."

"Students are much more likely to stop and engage with their friends in open spaces such as these before heading to their rooms."

Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, said he is pleased with the combined effect of recent structural improvements to the Keohane quad, which include the addition of the new wing and atrium, a renovated McClendon Tower and a new outdoor plaza with an adjoining Edens concourse stairwell.

"This wing is part of our larger plan to continually improve the residential experience," Moneta said. "We believe this area will become a new and vital hub for student activity right in the heart of our residential communities. With late night dining, outstanding and varied gathering and programmatic spaces and inviting indoor and outdoor communal spaces, we're excited to offer students this new additional hub for student life.

 "Over the past few years we also have made major investments in Central Campus, with the new restaurant, general store and apartment renovations," Moneta said.  "Now we're planning for the complete renovation of West Union, which will become an exciting new commons for the entire university community."

Duke employees tour a room in the new Keohane residence hall wing during an open house last week.  Photo by Megan Morr.