At the base of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in a neighborhood full of historic houses and that up and coming energy, I found this beautiful building, though when I first saw it, it was in pretty rough shape.
Still, I could see the bones: mahogany beadboard, sweet vintage bathrooms, and oversized windows overlooking the park. Each floor had been set up as a 3bedroom unit. I reimagined the layout for young adults starting out, upgrading each room for individual privacy, adding a dishwasher to the organized kitchen, and moving the laundry to the first floor for convenience.
Behind the scenes, I upgraded the infrastructure: high-speed internet throughout, air conditioning for the summer, and gas heating for the winter. Then came the sparkle, antique furniture, a chandelier here and there, just enough charm to make it feel like home.

Over time, it organically became a girls-only building—mostly computer nerd girls, just like me. I knew exactly what would make them feel comfortable, inspired, and safe.