Area 01 Provides Gathering Space for Students

May 30, 2025 by Paige Stanley

Living in a residence hall is more than just having a place to sleep; it provides a vibrant community where students can connect with their peers, explore passions outside of the classroom, and find ways to unwind. One standout space offering just that is Area 01, located in Maple Hall on West Campus. The dynamic makerspace, game room, and lounge is a favorite hangout spot where creativity and community collide. 

Area 01 is divided into four unique “labs”: the Dabble Lab, Game Lab, Image Lab and Sound Lab. The Dabble Lab serves as a high- and low-tech makerspace, complete with 3D printers, sewing machines, laser cutters, and more. The Game Lab features arcade games, board games, gaming consoles and classic table games like foosball, ping pong and pool. For those interested in photography or video production, the Image Lab is a fully equipped studio designed for content creation and editing. The most popular of the four is the Sound Lab. The Sound Lab is a studio and practice space with musical instruments and recording equipment for musicians or podcasters.  

Video by Anirudh Arun.

“It’s a space where all different types of students can come hang out in a more relaxed setting than a library or building on campus,” third-year student and Area 01 student assistant, Kira K., said. “It also works to provide a space for people who are interested in learning about or working on technological projects.” 

The Dabble Lab has become a hub for students eager to try their hand at new skills. Whether it’s building a prototype for a class assignment or learning to sew, students often find themselves picking up hobbies and collaborating with others who share their interests. The space provides valuable hands-on experience for those who may not have room in their schedules for formal engineering or creative arts courses. 

“A lot of students don’t have the time in their schedules to take an engineering 101 class where they could be able to learn those skills,” Kira said. “Having the space where they can use a Sound Lab or a 3D printer or a sewing machine is a really good thing.” 

Beyond the labs, Area 01 offers comfortable lounge areas, cozy couches, and study rooms for students seeking a relaxing place to unwind, study, or socialize. Game nights are a regular occurrence, and friendships often form organically through shared activities and conversations. 

“There’s been a lot of instances where big groups will come in and they check out a game pod and they just sit there for hours laughing, playing the Switch or PS5,” Kira said. “That is really memorable because you don’t really get to witness that a lot on campus, so it is a really cool environment.” 

Whether you’re into gaming, creating, recording, or just meeting new people, there’s something for everyone in Area 01. Stop by Maple Hall and see for yourself what makes Area 01 a favorite hangout for residents across campus. 

go back