The Cove
STUDENT LOUNGE RESTORATION | Interior Design Studio III | Fall 2023
Team: Dallas Richardson, Madison Miller
The restoration of the student den, The Cove, results in an inviting and inspiring oasis amidst the stressors of college life. Located in Friley Hall at Iowa State University, the space balances the demands of a contemporary campus common area with the desire for a cozy living room for residents of the dorm. The design incorporates subtle elements of nature, including modern canopies, natural, warm materials and colors, and the addition of skylights to bring life to the dreary basement. Various specialty spaces provide levels of seating and lighting options for all.
The Cove is inspired by groovy lounges of the 1970s. It incorporates circular conversation arrangements, earthy tones, and vibrant patterns. The sleek white column canopies were inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Johnson Wax Headquarters. Making use of the otherwise obstructive structural columns, the canopies define social areas, reflect light, and bring visual height to the previously cave-like basement.
Originally a dining hall, the basement of Friley Hall has served many purposes since it’s original construction in 1927. Wood paneling has been a trademark of the space, incorporated in multiple renovations since the beginning. Paying homage to this retro feature, acoustic wood-look materials will now cover the ceiling and wrap the structural columns. The columns will also be used as a visual feature of the space as they were in the 1960s, maintaining the original character of the basement.
Rendered Floor Plan
Rendered RCP
Student Lounge
Coversation Area
Kitchenette
Rec Room
Board Game Room