Through the doors of 8 Ball Hall, one of Dartmouth College’s few student lounges, lie three large pool tables in a row. Daily, students will gather here to play games of pool, enjoy each other’s company, and feel connected in an environment outside of home or the classroom.

Along the entire left wall of this space are five standing tables, each with two high chairs. These spots serve as locations for others to gather and watch students play various games of pool. The small size of the table emphasizes conversation between people rather than individual work. Their location perfectly links physical space and conversation as well. Even though they are aligned against the wall, the seats face outwards, stilling leaving room for conversation and engagement with those playing pool. And by nearing off to the side while still remaining close to the pool tables, they prevent those observing the games to remain completely solitary, reminding users that the space thrives on dialogue to achieve community.

 

An important feature of this space is it’s acknowledgement of all types of users. While the space promotes the usage of the various games it has to offer, 8 Ball Hall leaves room for those who choose not to engage in those activities. Around the room, there are plenty of seats so that users can still be present in the space even though they are not invested in the games. The space demonstrates that there is no one, unified, or proper agenda. Instead, since the space is designed for users to spend time relaxing, they can do whatever they please within it. Despite the program or schedule not being shared amongst its users, 8 Ball Hall and other spaces like it still assert the identity of community through the discourse that occurs no matter where the users are located in the environment.