If you live in an older college dormitory, especially one built in 1969, you’ve probably encountered certain quirks and features that don’t seem to make sense. Recently, a Reddit user posted an intriguing question about a mysterious feature in their dorm, one that appears on multiple floors and is located on each side of the building’s floor plan. The building itself, constructed in 1969, likely holds some hidden architectural secrets, and the question arose: What is this feature, and what was it used for?
Let’s break down some of the possible explanations for what this feature could be and why it exists in dorms from this era.
1. Air Vents or HVAC Ducts
One of the most likely explanations for these odd structures is that they’re related to ventilation systems, which were often central to buildings constructed in the mid-20th century. Dorms built in the 1960s would have relied heavily on natural ventilation or rudimentary air systems to keep rooms comfortable.
- Air Vents: These could be ventilation ducts, designed to circulate air throughout the building. Buildings from this era often had less sophisticated air conditioning or climate control systems, and vent shafts like the one described may have been used to channel fresh air into rooms or corridors. Given that the feature is present on both sides of the floor, it’s likely an essential part of the airflow system for the entire floor.
- HVAC Ducts: While modern dorms use centralized HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, older buildings like this one would have used more localized vent systems. The mysterious feature might be part of a large HVAC shaft that served multiple rooms or common areas, allowing for temperature control, moisture regulation, and air quality management.
2. Vertical Circulation (Staircase or Elevator Shaft)
Another possibility is that the feature could be a vertical shaft for either stairs or an elevator, which were central elements in older buildings designed to maximize usable space.
- Elevator Shaft: Even though it’s not always obvious, older dorms or apartment buildings often had hidden elevator shafts built into the design, sometimes disguised within a larger structure like the one described. If the dorm features multiple floors, this vertical feature could be an access point for an elevator (or a space where one might have once been). If the building was originally designed with an elevator but the system was later removed or replaced, the shaft could still exist, simply serving as unused or repurposed space.
- Staircase Core: Alternatively, this could be a stairwell core, an essential part of the building’s fire safety design. Stairs in older dorm buildings were often enclosed within a concrete core to create a safe evacuation route in case of an emergency. The floor plans were often laid out in a way that balanced student access to rooms and vertical circulation.
3. Former Utility or Service Room (Now Repurposed)
Older buildings often included dedicated spaces for utilities, service rooms, or maintenance access that have since been repurposed or even closed off as the building’s needs changed over time.
- Storage or Service Room: The feature could have been the access point to a now-redundant utility or maintenance room. In many college dorms built in the 1960s, service rooms were used for things like water heaters, boilers, electrical panels, or laundry facilities. If the system has been updated over the years, the original utility rooms may no longer be necessary, but the entrances or shafts remain as remnants of a past use.
- Former Mail Chutes or Trash Chutes: Another possibility is that these features were once used for mail delivery or trash disposal. Some dorms built in the 1960s had chutes for waste or mail that dropped down to a collection area on a lower floor. These openings were often sealed off or repurposed as the building’s function changed over the years. If the building was originally designed to house large numbers of students, efficient trash and mail systems would have been essential.
4. Original Laundry Chute System
In many older buildings, a laundry chute was an essential feature, especially in communal dorms where students did not have individual washers and dryers in their rooms. It’s possible that this mysterious feature was once used for laundry disposal, allowing students to toss their clothes down a chute directly to a central laundry facility.
- Laundry Chutes: These were common in older dormitories, apartment buildings, and even private homes built in the mid-1900s. A chute could have been built into the wall, leading directly to a laundry room or basement. While laundry chutes have mostly been phased out in modern buildings, older dorms may still have the remnants of these systems, even if they’ve been sealed off and repurposed over time.
5. Fire Safety Feature
Another key feature of older buildings was their fire safety design, which often included small ventilation shafts or spaces to allow smoke to escape in the event of a fire.
- Smoke Ventilation Shaft: In buildings built before modern fire code regulations, ventilation shafts were used to direct smoke away from hallways and stairwells. These vertical openings could allow hot gases or smoke to exit through the building’s roof, providing a safer evacuation route for residents. If the feature you’re seeing is located on either side of the floor plan, it could be an older ventilation feature designed to help with the building’s fire safety system.
6. Architectural Quirk or Design Feature
Sometimes, features like this appear purely because of architectural design choices, especially in buildings constructed in the late 1960s when certain styles and techniques were popular.
- Mid-Century Modern Design: The late 1960s were a time of architectural experimentation, particularly in Mid-Century Modern designs. It’s possible that the hole or feature you’ve encountered is simply part of an aesthetic or design decision made to create balance or visual interest in the building. This could involve exposed brickwork, geometric designs, or the use of space for a functional yet decorative purpose. If the building’s architect was known for their unique approach, this could simply be an uncommon design element that was once trendy but now doesn’t serve any real purpose.
7. Connection to Campus History
Older buildings on college campuses often have unique features that were once central to the history of the institution. This could include things like campus-specific traditions, original systems, or even secret rooms used for special purposes.
- Historical Use: It’s also worth considering that the dorm might have had a particular function or use when it was first built in 1969, which may no longer be relevant today. For example, it could have been used for faculty offices, student lounges, or even special event spaces that were designed to enhance the communal experience of the dorm.
Conclusion: The Mystery of the Dorm Feature
So, what exactly is the mysterious feature in your dorm? The answer could vary depending on the specifics of your building, but most likely it’s one of the following: ventilation system, utility access, laundry chute, fire safety feature, or even an architectural element designed to enhance the building’s structure.
If you’re really curious, you could always try asking the building’s maintenance staff or your residence hall advisor. They might know the exact history of the building and the purpose of these features. In any case, it’s clear that the building you’re living in has its own unique story, shaped by the era it was built in, and this mysterious feature is just one part of that history.
