RISD Furniture Design Faculty Work for New Dormitory

The furniture in the new Rhode Island School of Design dormitories might just be the furniture of the future.

Ergonomic, sustainable and recycled, the rubber, bamboo, plywood, sustainable fiberboard, beech and recycled polyester pieces were designed specifically for college students by a trio of RISD Furniture Design faculty.

In spring 2004, RISD Director of Residence Life Brian Janes approached Rosanne Somerson RISD '76, who was the head of the Furniture Design Department at the time, asking her to assist in making furniture selections for a new dorm to be located in the former Rhode Island Hospital Trust building on 15 Westminster Street.

According to Somerson, however, it quickly became apparent that no line of furniture in the range of the predetermined budget would be suitable.

"It's a beautiful space," Somerson said, "and there was nothing I was aware of that would be appropriate or ideal.

We wanted to make a line of furnishing more in line with the feel of that building."

Somerson and RISD faculty members John Dunnigan RISD '80 and Peter Walker sought approval to design their own line of furniture for the 500-plus students who would be living in the new dormitory.