Hampshire College

Did You Know That...

1. Hugh Stubbins, a well-known architect in Cambridge, Massachusetts designed the building.

2. The original design for Dakin House called for it to be a tower, much like some of the dormitories at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, but it did not work with the surrounding landscape, and the final result was a building in the shape of an inverted question mark.

3. It was initially designed to accommodate 295 beds. Four beds in the J basement were converted to office space, six beds in the H basement were converted to the House Director apartment, D111 was converted from the physical disabilities room into a single and F102 was converted to a wheelchair-accessible bathroom. The Admissions Office also has a tour room in the building.

4. The design of both Dakin and Merrill houses was based on recommendations by students from other colleges who said that their primary desire was for single rooms.

5. The Dakin doubles are the largest bedrooms on campus.

6. The campus’ Children's Center was originally located in the Dakin basement.

7. D1, one of the halls in the building, was at one time converted to administrative offices.

8. Other offices and programs that have been housed in Dakin include: the EMT program, the Office of the First Year Program, the Peace and World Security Studies Office, the Men's Resource Center, and the Office of Religious Life.

9. Dakin has sections D,E,F,G,H,J and K...but there is no section I.

10. Dakin has been completely renovated and remodeled as of fall 2004.