Baker House, University dormitory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, US
Baker House is a wave-shaped dormitory at MIT featuring diagonal windows along Memorial Drive that maximize river views for student residents. The building accommodates 318 undergraduates in various room configurations, with a dining hall distinguished by its moon garden roof design.
Finnish architect Alvar Aalto designed Baker House in 1947, and it opened in 1949 as part of MIT's shift toward becoming a residential university. This represented a major step in the institute's commitment to on-campus student housing.
The building honors Everett Moore Baker, an MIT Dean of Students who passed away in a plane crash in Egypt while the structure was under construction. His name represents the institution's commitment to residential student life and community building.
The building sits along Memorial Drive with direct access to the Charles River Esplanade, making it easy to locate from the main MIT campus. Since this is an active student residence, access to certain interior areas may be limited, and visitors should respect the privacy of residents.
Students maintain a tradition of dropping an old piano from the roof on Drop Day, marking the final day to withdraw from classes without academic penalty. This distinctive ritual reflects the institute's culture of creative expression and student autonomy.
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