Talking Stick - May/June 2019 - 62

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SECRET SERVICE

Another example of this strategy
in action is Spruce Hall at Indiana
University in Bloomington. Opened in
2013, the hall houses its primary staircase in a glass-enclosed passage along
the outside of the building. In addition, the wider-than-average stairwell
and floor landings offer plenty of space
for students to navigate past each other
and not be trapped. A similar design
approach is used in Elizabeth Catlett
Hall at the University of Iowa in Iowa
City. McDonald explains how, in their
design, the wide and open staircase
provides clear views and also encourages floor-to-floor communication.

A GOOD OFFENSE
While design strategies affect how
residents utilize the physical space
of a building or area, the design also
provides secondary benefits that
result in a greater sense of commu-

nity and social cohesion that, in turn,
leads to increased self-policing and a
reduction in inappropriate behaviors.
Today's halls provide greater square
footage to community space for this
reason. In addition, allowing students and staff to personalize rooms,
doors, and hallways creates a sense
of ownership over the space. "When
designing space in new or renovated
buildings, safety may be a priority, but
community space is also important
to create welcoming and inclusive
communities," says Perez. "How the
building is designed should maximize the opportunities for residents
to interact with each other. Whether
it is waiting for an elevator or bumping into each other in the hallway,
circulation through the community
is paramount. In addition, lounges,
study rooms, and open lobbies all
serve to develop community and build

relationships. When residents have
familiarity with those that live in their
community, they tend to treat each
other, and the buildings, with more
care and respect."
Technology, again, can enhance
design efforts to support this community-building. Javier Esteban, another
KWK Architects principal, explains
how, in older residence halls, doors between individual rooms and hallways
could be left open easily. The result
was an active corridor that promoted
community on the floor, but was not
always safe in emergencies. Today's
building codes require that the doors
have automatic closers. "One of the
key elements is to provide fire-rated
doors with door closers that provide a
positive latching of the door. This safety
requirement ensures that bedroom
doors are always closed, making the
corridor just a passageway," Esteban

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