A new Web site is taking the guesswork out of dorm room design for many of Penn’s incoming freshman.
The University has partnered with CollegeRoomCreator.com, a Web site that allows students to view a virtual, three-dimensional model of their future dorm room.
Penn is currently piloting the Web site with Hill College House, according to Business Services spokeswoman Barbara Lea-Kruger.
Because representatives from the site must come and measure each room, Penn is experimenting with the service before committing to include all of the dorms.
Students can use the site to design and customize their room and to collaborate with future roommates in planning how to customize their space.
Students using the virtual design interface can also add furniture and dorm accessories to their virtual room and use the Web site to purchase these items.
The interactive features make CollegeRoomCreator.com different from Penn’s own housing Web site, which only shows 2-dimensional layouts.
Lea-Kruger called the Web site “an interesting tool for students.”
“We are going to monitor the program and get student feedback,” she said. “If the feedback is good, we’ll definitely consider expanding to other college houses.”
Lea-Kruger also added that it will not be fully functional until some time next week.
Once it is fully launched, Hill residents will be able to access their room on CollegeRoom-Creator.com via a link on Campus Express.
The decision to partner with this Web site is a fairly recent one, according to Lea-Kruger.
“We’ve been chatting with CollegeRoomCreator.com for several months,” she said. “One of the Web site’s creators is the child of a Penn alum and was very interested in partnering with Penn.”
The Web site is free for both the universities and its students.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
