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Third-year architecture student Katherine “Elle” Mason of Cobden, Illinois, is the winner of the Mississippi State University School of Architecture’s recent competition to design a student lounge.

Announced at the end of the fall semester, the competition offered students a chance to design their own lounge area with a prize of $250. The site for the S|ARC student lounge competition was the first floor in "the barn" of Giles, the area currently occupied by printers and one vending machine. The proposed designs could also occupy the triangular area across from the printers. Students were encouraged to utilize wood or other supplies that have been donated to the shop for their designs.

“I was immediately excited about the idea of designing a space for me and my peers and contributing to the effort of improving student life,” said Mason. “Also, this contest gave me the opportunity to have my first design project come to life, which was especially significant to me because this space will be located in Giles Hall, where I spend so much of my time as an architecture student.”

Mason’s design consists of two separate sets of benches that are enclosed with a variation of wooden configurations. The entirety of the project was designed using basic 2” x 4” wooden boards. Directly across from this space, a proposed coffee and snack bar displays the same geometric style and common materials. Included is a cabinet for snacks, shelves for cups and other items, an opening for the storage of Keurig cups, as well as an allocated space for a small refrigerator and a Keurig machine.

“When I designed the lounge space, I wanted to create a space where students can relax and revive themselves throughout their busy days,” said Mason. “The coffee bar will allow students to stop by and get a cup of coffee in the morning to wake up before their early classes. The mini fridge and snack bar will allow them to store and access food throughout the day when they can’t find the time to leave their projects. The lounge itself provides a quiet and somewhat private space where students can rest or even take a quick nap after a long night in studio.”

Director of the School of Architecture Karen Cordes Spence agreed.

“We selected this design to build for our school because we feel like it will give our students a great place to take a break, visit with one another, and just relax,” she said.

Mason said she’s also excited to participate in the construction process and watch how her design comes to life. 

According to Spence, plans are currently in the works to construct the space this semester.

“Elle will be a major part, of course,” she said, “and Freedom by Design will build it. And then anyone who wishes to help build will be able to join Freedom by Design, and we’ll hopefully have the booths soon.” 

“It will be a wonderful service to everyone to have this kind of support space in the Barn,” she added. 

“I look forward to seeing students interact with and enjoy the space,” Mason said. “It is an incredible opportunity to be involved in something that will be a part of the building for years to come.”

View the winning design.