Western Kentucky University (WKU) currently has only traditional style residence halls with community bathrooms and kitchens. As other universities around the country begin to build apartment style rooms WKU is being left behind. Calliope Hall fills this void and brings WKU’s residence halls to the 21st century with green design and new urbanism ideas.

The overall footprint is compacted to allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the building. Openings in the exterior are oriented to prevent too much light and heat entering the building. Residents will have a 24 hour restaurant and a convenience store so that they won’t have to travel far for supplies.

Calliope Hall expands on a new concept at WKU known as living and learning communities. The residence hall is open to all junior and senior design students to live, work, create, and expand their knowledge. Studios both indoors and out are available for students to meet, share ideas, and produce their work. For that reason the building is named after Homer’s muse for the Odyssey and Illiad, Calliope.