Nikki’s Dorm examines the spatial dynamics of student dormitories and their impact on social interactions. Two students invited me to their dorm to play video games. I might not have finished in last place if I had focused more on the race, but my attention was drawn to the dorm’s layout and its effect on student relationships.

Each of the four students had a highly personalized and private room with a door that locked.  They shared a bathroom and a narrow, sparsely decorated common space with a TV and gaming console. The common area, narrow and sparsely decorated, functioned more as a way for students to move from their rooms to the exit door rather than a gathering space. The isolating setup contrasted with what I knew dorm life to be: opportunities to learn vital social skills, resolve conflicts, and build relationships. While these separate rooms might seem great for students who like to be alone, gone are the lessons of figuring out how to be with people you may not entirely agree with. 

For this piece, I reimagined the dorm layout, expanding the shared space and giving the students a large red couch where they could all hang out together and connect.

acrylic on panel, poplar, boxelder, 30 x 40 x 2 in, 2025