Have you ever seen a building that looks like a giant sponge? That’s W79 Simmons Hall. Right here before you stands this architectural marvel.
W79 Simmons Hall at MIT is more than just a dormitory. It’s a vibrant community. Opened in 2002 it was designed by Steven Holl. The building aims to foster interaction among its 350 undergraduate residents.
The exterior is a striking metallic grid. More than 5500 windows puncture the facade. Anodized aluminum sheathes the ten-story structure. It has the feel of a massive computer. Brightly colored window jambs reinforce this impression.
But step inside. The exterior’s Euclidean geometry gives way to free-form atria. These act as public spaces. Hollowed-out plaster cavities are enlivened by skylights. Metal stairwells add to the unique aesthetic. Along conventional corridors students find projecting mounds. These indicate entrances to grotto-like spaces. These spaces have monitors televisions culinary facilities and exercise equipment.
Each room is furnished with modular units of blonde Scandinavian plywood. They are three windows wide three windows high. This often cancels the views and light. This is perhaps a reaction to students obscuring windows in other MIT buildings. Despite claims of passive solar walls and maximum energy utilization problems with air currents and sunlight remain.
Elegance in detail is lacking. This is unsurprising in a building aiming for 21st-century design. However the ghost of Le Corbusier’s Unités d’Habitation hovers over the exterior. The irregular sculptural forms of Ronchamp’s towers are evident within. The student consensus on the building’s success remains to be seen.
But Simmons Hall isn’t just about its architecture. It’s about the community within. The residents themselves call it “The Sponge”. They celebrate a lighthearted and supportive culture. The building is interspersed with spacious lounges. These have beanbags couches floor-to-ceiling windows and video game consoles. Residents create “Lounges” which Simmons funds for activities like eating out or buying video games. They even have a unique town-hall style government. Past initiatives include purchasing massage chairs creating a ball pit and ordering thousands of buffalo wings.
The Sponge is truly a unique place. It’s a place where artistic individuals athletes gamers and everyone else lives together in a lively community. It lives up to its name. It is a place where ideas and friendships soak in. It is a testament to innovative design and vibrant community life. This is W79 Simmons Hall.