Building Sketch

In this drawing, which unfortunately looks like the artist is in elementary school, harps on the strong vertical structure of the dormitory.  Each wing and floor was built for strength, longevity and a creative use of natural light.  Another significant feature of this drawing is the tall walls that extend slightly above the roof of the building, again adding to the height of the building while simultaneously allowing natural light to enter and exit certain parts of the building throughout the day.

Google Earth Snapshot

Erdman Hall is located towards the bottom right corner of this photograph and resembles three grey cubes conjoined together.  It is located near the southeast border of the Bryn Mawr campus and has other smaller living quarters nearby.  The dorm is somewhat isolated from most of the classrooms but on the other hand, it is close to adjacent parks and fields.

Flickr Photo Cache

In these photos, the elements of shape and space are clearly demonstrated.  With a closer look at the exterior walls, we can see the intricate and structured design that makes up the outer walls.  The shape of the living quarters exhibit strictly defined rooms that are very separate from one another.  The use of symmetry is also displayed in these pictures, especially when viewing the main lounge area.  In the square room, there are exactly six round light bulbs on each wall as well as chairs formed in a linear fashion which draws the eyes and body towards the giant rug hanging vertically on the wall.

First Hand Impression

Though I have never personally been to Erdman Hall, or Bryn Mawr College in general, I was able to speak with a family friend who attended school here.  Although she didn’t live in this particular dorm, she was able to see the building plenty of times while visiting friends freshman year.  Apparently, it is one building to be avoided when searching for living situations.  The general consensus was that although the building is large, immaculate and impressive, there is still an “ugly” outlook on the building as a whole.  She mentioned that girls really enjoyed the dining hall and areas to hang out, but the hallways gave an eerie vibe and she even went as far to describe some of the rooms as prison cells!  The mostly concrete structure is certainly not as appealing for girls living here, however, they all seem to appreciate the architectural design and intricacy.

Louis I. Kahn & Erdman Hall

1.)  Erdman Hall is not the only educational building Kahn has designed, he is also the architect for the Richards Medical Center at the University of Pennsylvania which exhibits tall columns similar to that of Erdman Hall.

2.)  Kahn struggled to blend his design with the ideas of Dean Katharine Elizabeth McBride and worked hard to distinguish each room as a separate entity and not just a series of partitions.

3.)  The window openings are installed laterally which niches light to the right and left; the windows can only be opened outward by a crank which then exposes the room to the elements.

 

 

 

Student Blog

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/neighbors

This article comes from a student blog and focuses on the size and style of some Bryn Mawr’s dormitories, namely, Erdman Hall. What did not come as a surprise was the comments on how “ugly” the building is on the inside – large concrete halls with little decor or lighting.  Another peculiar complaint this article focused on was that the size of some dorm rooms were in fact too big.  The vast rooms are a result of the block-like structure of the building and actually seem to overwhelm some students.

I agree with the author in the sense that the rooms do not possess a “homey” feel to them.  The large concrete slabs that shape the room create too large of an open area that seems to dwarf the residents as they enter the room.

Pictoral Tour

This video takes you on a pictorial tour through and around Erdman Hall.  While the large cubical design of the building is eye catching from afar, or above, the most impressive facet of the building is how the inside relies on an interplay between space, light and shape.

Interior

 

Erdman Hall was designed as a modern Scottish castle and utilizes natural light throughout the building.  As seen in this interior photo, the natural light coming into the study area draws you away from the dark hallway and into the illuminated room.

Exterior

While looking at the building’s entrance, the descending symmetrical design funnels people towards the front doors draws people to come inside.

The building’s exterior is composed of a concrete frame, CMU infill and slate cladding.

Design Plans

Each floor of Erman Hall is structured in the same triangular floor plan but the third floor is where the majority of dorm rooms are located.  The second floor is home to the dining hall and most rooms border the edges of the squares.

The building is structured by three halls defined by large hoods.  These hoods allow for more natural light to enter the building.