List of Massachusetts Institute of Technology Undergraduate Dormitories - Next House (W71)

Next House (W71)

Next House, located at 500 Memorial Drive, is five stories tall and houses about 350 people. Patterned after the success of Baker House, it opened in September 1981. The Next House designation was unofficial and thought to be temporary until a sufficient donation had been received to name the dorm. As a result, the Institute has nearly always referred to the building as 500 Memorial Drive, while students have always called the dorm "Next House". It is divided into east and west wings which are connected at the center, so, like East Campus, location is referred to by "(ordinal number) (wing)" when spoken, or "(cardinal number) (wing initial)" when written, such as "5th west" or "5W". When Next House first opened, the hallway directly ahead of the elevator opening was referred to as "central," so one could live on "4th Central" as well; however, the lounge is now considered part of the west side. Each floor contains a large main lounge that faces the river, along with several smaller lounges, colloquially named in accordance to their location (e.g. "elevator lounge" or "far west lounge"), or nicknamed by their residents (ex. the 4W elevator lounge was dubbed the "White Rabbit Lounge" for the 2008-09 year). The 5th floor also features skylights placed various areas.

The first level is home to the infamous "TFL" (Tastefully Furnished Lounge, also the site of the annual "Next Act" theatrical production) along with music practice rooms, Next Dining (open everyday to all MIT students for breakfast and dinner), Athena cluster, and workout rooms. The basement level offers a laundry room, game area, and the Country Kitchen, where students are often seen cooking up various meals. The TFL was so named at the first Next House governance meeting after a suggestion was offered by a group of upper classmen who had moved from MacGregor House.

Despite its distance from campus, Next House is viewed as one of the most family-like dorms, thanks to its residence-based advising system and friendly atmosphere. Some students living at Next prefer to bike or take the Tech Shuttle to and from campus, while others enjoy the quiet walk.