Hill Hall’s lobby has presented many challenges over the course of the Investigating Mines project. Overall, the biggest issues was that the lobby lacked motivation to use the space. Through the process of ethnographic, graphic, and aesthetic analysis, the bugs from all users of the space is apparent. Between the inornate walls and low ceilings that caused a cramped feeling, the lobby suffers ill misuse. To create a space that is worthwhile and increases usage, the solution must provide features for users to interact with as well as stop to admire. Determining an answer to these challenges is not easy, however, the solution itself is rather simple. To provide users with a lobby worth spending time in, the current glass frames with pictures of graduate students and faculty would be replaced with pictures alongside easily scanned QR codes. These codes link to the graduate student or faculty member’s website where people can view their office hours, available schedules, and contact information. Other wall décor could include posters of pictures from past events as well as calendar dates for upcoming activities such as free pour Friday and lab demos. In this solution, two major issues from the user perceived bugs list will be eliminated.. Another change to the space is to add more comfortable furniture as well as logic games and toys would be added around the room to provide interactive features for the users of the space. By providing these changes, the lobby would see an increase of people using the space rather than simply passing through. Through this resolution, the lobby to Hill Hall will become a welcoming area for all people.
