Dorm Lobby Renovations

Mississippi College wanted to provide updated lobbies for students to enjoy within the residences and reached out to CDFL to help rethink how the lobbies could better serve the students. These spaces offer gathering spaces for friends, study groups, and independent study spaces for students, and many had not been updated in quite a while. Our team took inspiration from the recent Alumni Hall Renovation and wanted the lobbies to have the same look and feel of that project while also feeling a little bit like home. CDFL worked closely with the contractor to ensure the project would be completed in the short time frame and the seven lobbies were successfully renovated in three months.

Recognizing that students use the lobbies in many ways, our designers focused on furniture that would meet as many needs as possible. Sofas with acoustical fabric surrounds and built-in tables were designed for a great individual study time spot. Long bar height tables give a family-style table for eating or gathering around the kitchen. Various table sizes with chairs for smaller groups or individuals to study or dining were also provided. The project was an overnight success. The students have enjoyed having a comfortable, updated, and functional space to use as an overflow from their dorm rooms.

Several lobbies also have kitchens that were refurbished and opened to the living spaces to provide students with a homey open plan feel. New lighting brightened the areas and added visual interest while providing the college with energy cost savings. We painted the walls a shade of white to reflect light and give energy to the renovated rooms. The furniture did a lot of the work in space division and allocation. Lounge seating groupings around televisions provide for fun movie nights (or days).