West Kennedy Hall was completed the summer of 2013, but wasn’t officially opened until we returned at the end of August. This new resident hall houses 523 undergraduates, with breathtaking views and spectacular amenities. Every room in the hall is comprised of a common room, four single bedrooms, and two full bathrooms to share. This hall also includes multiple student lounges and gathering spaces, a laundry room, and a kitchen. This building is one of the most energy efficient buildings on campus. It was a candidate for the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and has the latest technology, including automatic light switches and a solar paneled roof that provides hot water to the building. (http://www.ut.edu/New-Residence-Hall.aspx).
I finally got the chance to go into the new residence hall and see its stunning designs and views for myself. I interviewed a friend of mine, Nathan Krohn, who lives on the 9th floor of the building. While Nathan raved about the amenities, he also said there were some things that he’s definitely not a fan of; the first being that the plugs in each of the individual rooms are situated in very inconvenient areas–something a couple of extension cords can’t fix! The biggest problem he’s had, though, pertains to the energy efficient design. In order to use less power, the lights are set on a timer. If the sensors do not feel you in the room, they will automatically turn off—not ideal when you’re trying to type up that essay that’s due tomorrow. He also stated that the bathrooms do not have fans, causing the room to quickly become filled with condensation mid-shower.
Despite these obstacles, Krohn is very happy with his decision to pick West Kennedy Hall, and has high hopes for its future.
“This hall will really help our school,” Krohn says, “and the environment.”
Photos Courtesy of: http://viewer.zmags.com/ and http://www.ut.edu/New-Residence-Hall.aspx