Columbia University Housing

The Brownstones at 604/606 West 114th Street

The Brownstones at 604/606 West 114^th Street are a shining example of this new philosophy. Careful thought and consideration went into creating great “apartment living” for these two new Special Interest Communities. Symposium House will house 15 students interested in connecting through social, academic, and artistic interaction. The Greek Symposium fosters an organic relationship between food, debate, and the community that arises from such an exchange. For the 2006-2007 academic year, the Inquiry House will focus on the theme of civic engagement; the first residents of Inquiry House will create the program of the House, developing what it means for students to live in a community dedicated to integrating classroom learning with community involvement.

 

These two buildings required an extensive amount of work to make them livable, including gut renovations and asbestos removal. The results are striking:

• High ceilings
• Hardwood floors throughout
• Floor-to-ceiling energy-efficient windows
• Timed “green” overhead lights

Each apartment has two double bedrooms and an efficiency kitchen, but it’s the furniture and common space that makes this space exceptional. “Smart” furniture is used throughout to allow students to customize their space:

• Everything is on castors for easy mobility.
• Desks with drop leafs to convert easily to dining tables.
• File cabinets with padded tops double as extra seating.
• Lounge chairs have adjustable (right-hand/left-hand) laptop trays.
• Beds are adjustable and completely loftable.

Two feet of dirt were dug out of the basement floor to create an amazing joint common space for the two houses. This area will include washers and dryers, flat screen tvs, and a space for the SICs to meet and host events.

600 West 113th Street

600 West 113^th Street has always been an interesting space with its mixed group of residents and stunning river views. This summer we renovated the ninth floor with a new attitude. Instead of just filling the rooms to maximum capacity, the area was redesigned to make it the most “liveable” space.

• Open common areas created for each suite
• Walls moved to create really large doubles
• Walls placed to take advantage of the great natural light
• Timed “green” overhead lights
• A bathroom was added to each suite – that’s two bathrooms for seven people!

McBain

McBain is a classic pre-war, typical New York City dwelling, with all the charm and limitations inherent in this type of building. Work began last summer to address the issues, most notably the lack of overhead lighting and an electrical system that couldn’t keep up with student demand.  The work will be completed this summer, including improvements in common spaces:

Electrical 

• New distribution with multiple outlets per room
• Multiple ethernet connections per room
• Timed “green” overhead lights

Kitchens

• Tiny, dark kitchens with no common space have been opened up to create space for a table, couch, and tv
• Garbage cans relocated to alcoves in the hall
• Timed “green” overhead lights installed

Hallways

• Increased overhead lighting to make brighter and more inviting
• Installed automated fire doors to increase accessibility and improve safety

Bathrooms

• Improved ventilation with new vents
• New shower enclosures
• New lighting
• Dual-flush toilets to conserve water

Rooms

• Removed existing closets to provide more mobile adaptable armoires
• Kept character like original moldings
• Installed new pergo flooring to create more allergen-free environments
• All new furniture

Common Areas

• New security desk
• Renovated lobby
• Lounge consisting of a small gym open 24/7, including 3 treadmills and 2 elliptical machines, vending, better lighting, new flooring, tv, and furniture

Ruggles

Ruggles offers really unique suite-style living with incredible character, such as original moldings and fireplaces in many of the rooms. The renovations this summer will maintain that charm, while updates to the bathrooms and kitchens will maximize space and make them more functional. In addition, new flooring will be installed to freshen up the spaces and make them more allergen-free.

Carman

Carman got a nice new "green" update this summer with timed light switches and dual-flush toilets installed throughout.

Elevators

New elevators will be installed in Hartley-Wallach and East Campus that have innovative "smart technology" to increase efficiency of use and decrease wait time. They work by communicating with the other in pair to respond better to demand and traffic.

Roofs

Portions of roofs in Hartley-Wallach, John Jay, Woodbridge, River, and McBain will be completely replaced, especially over lounges.

Painting

And this is all on top of the regular touch-ups and maintenance done over the summer, like the painting of the lobbies in every residence hall. Pictures of the new, improved spaces coming soon.