Although the new residents of Keohane 4E Quadrangle moved in before the start of classes, the new residence hall celebrated its grand opening Thursday afternoon. President Richard Brodhead, accompanied by other administrators, delivered remarks to start the weekend’s series of events, which include a game night Friday and movie night Saturday.The Chronicle’s Sophia Palenberg spoke with attendees and University officials at the opening to capture what Keohane 4E means for campus.
“It’s a fantastic piece of work in really opening up West Campus for community life—everyone at Duke should come over here and see what it looks like,” —President Richard Brodhead, noting that the building represents Duke’s wish to present the best conditions for student life.
“I hear everything’s sustainable and green, so that’s definitely cool,” —junior and Keohane 4E resident Jaimie Woo
“We’re incredibly excited. We hope the two-story lounges become the centerpieces of the house.... We hope this multi-purpose space becomes a magnet to the campus,” —William Rawn, founding principal at William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc. which served as the project’s architecture firm.
“This lounge area looks like it will foster community. I can definitely envision us watching some Duke games on the large TV,” —junior and Keohane 4E resident Emilia Rybak
“We love how the building works with the existing landscape... [and] love how the stairs to Edens [Quadrangle] have allowed this building to become a bridge and link to another sector of campus,” —Clifford Gayley, a principal at William Rawn Associates, who added that student input was vital in making the residence hall into a building fit for Duke’s culture and campus.
“I feel like they could do something with the first floor, like an eatery,” —junior and Keohane 4E resident Harold Hamann
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