Dormitory 12 of National Chiao Tung University, designed by the architects Chen Chi-Kwan, Tung Chia-Fan, and Shih Chi-Meng, was completed in 1991. The building, which has seven floors above ground and one underground, has a radial three-leaf or “herringbone” layout and is served by elevators. The dormitory has five entrances and exits and a total of 158 four-person rooms. All the units have similar access to the outside world, and the public areas are located at the center and the end of each floor supplemented by a wide space for traffic flow, which foregrounds the architects’ attempt to maximize the quality of accommodation in this architectural project.
The living spaces on the first to seventh floors of Dormitory 12 are all equipped with large external windows, providing excellent lighting and ventilation. Students can look out and appreciate beautiful scenery in the distance. Considering the space constraints, two bunk-beds are staggered on the left and the right side of the room to create the most comfortable environment for students. The renovation of the basement lounge was completed in May 2020. The interior decoration plan is based on the needs of students, comprising several spaces, such as a shared kitchen, a sandbag boxing area, a rhythm dance classroom, an audio-visual room, a darts area, a group discussion area, areas with fitness and entertainment equipment, a sofa lounge, and a basketball shooting area, which represent a departure from the dark and humid space in the past. After its transformation, the style of this space resembles that of a hipster bar. In addition to being visibly more spacious and brighter, this relaxing space enables students to discuss schoolwork with classmates, have fun together, and enjoy private time outside their bedrooms.
