1772 Hall – A Home Away From Home
A Home Away from Home: Salem College Senior Completes Redesign of 1772 Hall's Common Space
Salem College senior Cristina Battistini, who is double-majoring in interior design and math, recently completed a beautiful redesign of 1772 Hall’s common space. When Cristina was deciding where to attend college, she came to Salem for a campus tour and met Dr. Rosa Otero, professor of design. After speaking with Dr. Otero about Salem College’s design program, Cristina says she “just knew it was the right place for me.”
Cristina has thrived at Salem. She is the College’s Head Resident Assistant, as well as vice president of the Student Government Association. When she was asked to redesign 1772 Hall’s common space, Christina leapt at the opportunity to update the space where students who live in the dorm share meals, play games, and enjoy spending time together.
Honoring Salem College’s history and traditions while modernizing the common space was top of mind for Cristina as she was planning the design, which resulted in a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary styles. Being far from home herself — she is from Italy — it was very important to Cristina to create a space that “[feels] like a home, especially for students who are far away from their loved ones.”
Cristina says her design for the common space came “from the heart” and that she “really hopes students feel at home in this space.” The heart behind her design can be felt in every detail; 1772 Hall’s common space truly is a home away from home.