The Ottawa House promotes community between students socially and academically by providing a variety of spatial experiences both inside and out.  It also fulfills the University’s directive to improve the relationship and interconnection of the student-housing cluster with the academic core.  Each residence hall has its own large entrance, to allow students to identify with their home, and to create space for gathering/community.  In their campus homes, students enjoy generous four-person suites complete with private living rooms. Each floor has fully-outfitted kitchens, two-story lounges and message centers in which to interact.  The 200-seat Marche-concept Dining Hall offers a variety of prepared-to-order foods, and a casual dining room featuring a hearth fireplace, anchors the complex.  The students also enjoy a 100-seat ‘Panera-style’ café with longer operating hours for early risers, and late night studying. To enhance the mixed-use program, the Residence Life offices were placed in an engaging extension of the ground level of Ottawa House East, providing easy visibility from the Visitor’s Center, a distinct entrance to the offices, and easy access to short-term parking for office visitors.