Combining their artistic talents with keen architectural eyes, residents of Milbank, “The Team,” have transformed the concrete shaft of Milbank 36 into a cozy home. Seniors Owen Dzierzgowski ’25, Julia Smith ’25, Billy Marin ’25, Michael Ngaw ’25, Alya MacDonald ’25 and Markos Lissarrague ’25 have each put their unique touch on the space. Sun beams stream through the suite’s iconic dark side windows, nourishing the space’s greenery and highlighting the textures of MacDonald’s figure-paintings lining the walls. A well-stocked bar cart cradles a collection of beverages and a vintage bookcase houses a number of board games and books, emblematic of the group’s commitment to creating their own fun. As we turned the final corner of the Milbank staircase and filed into the suite, we observed the array of winter garments strewn along the radiator, evidence of the Team’s snow day adventures. Cuddled up on the couch, having just begun their movie, the Team ushered us in, with Lissarrague offering us tea and loading a plate with the leftovers of Smith’s homemade Valentine’s Day cake for us to share. Beyond its architectural prowess and unique decor, the suite sings of the spirit of this movie-loving, outdoor-adventuring, fun-generating crew of seniors.
Lissarrague, who created his own interdisciplinary major in digital design served as the architectural mastermind of the space. One corner of the suite particularly captures Lissarrague’s architectural ingenuity, with a well of rocks filling the gap between the built-in seat and the window and a warm-toned light fixture dangling from above. Situated in this pool of rocks stand two cleanly chopped stumps operating as natural tabletops for the suite’s potted plants. In the center of the common room, two couches face each other with an armchair at the head, creating a perfect conversational setting. The notable absence of a TV invites the team and its visitors to engage in conversation, introspect, read and engineer their own fun. MacDonald, an double art major and biology major, created the drawings and paintings that adorn the suite though other members of the suite have also contributed pieces they’ve created at “Paint and Sip” events.
With a distinct blend of hobbies and academic passions, Milbank 36 has united this group of seniors, some of whom were already close and some who were just friendly, during their final year of college. MacDonald and Smith had been roommates and longtime friends and Ngaw and Dzierzgowski had also been friends prior. The majority of the group lived in the Art House, also known as COOP, last year, with the spirit of cooking, conversation and socializing that had defined the art house carried into Milbank 36.
Smith, a sociology major, enjoys a variety of artistic pursuits outside of her academics from playing the harp in concert, to embroidering her clothing and other fabric mediums. Dzierzgowski shared that he has recently taken up piano lessons. Lissarrague and Marin found each other through Hamilton’s beloved rugby team, however, have gotten much closer through living together this year.
Lissarrague credits the cohesiveness of this suite to the fact that the group decided to live together, not on account of a collective commitment to partying, but because of an overlap in interests and emotional chemistry. “When people choose their suites just based on who they like to go out with this often results in lots of bickering,” he admitted. In addition to having fun together over the weekends, Milbank 36 members enjoy more wholesome activities like playing in the woods, James Bond marathons and gingerbread making during the holiday season.
Not a regular site for “Dark Side tower parties,” Milbank 36 usually hosts intimate soirees and festive cocktail hours. Smith watercolors custom drink menus that vary by occasion and they relish in a weekend night spent in watching a movie or just talking amongst one another. While the morning clean-up process can be strenuous the suite has made a commitment to keeping the space tidy and each member chips in to maintain its cleanliness. Smith joked that the suite defies stereotypes of majority male living spaces as unkempt and noted, in fact, that the male residents of the suite are far more committed to keeping the suite clean.
Not only do suite members maintain a clean space, sleep is also top priority. Lights are out pretty early for Milbank 36, with an early bedtime of around 10:30 p.m. “There’s something exciting going on if we’re all up at 11:30.” While Marin can often be found reading during early mornings, most suite members arise around 10 a.m. Given all of their involvement around campus, members of Milbank 36 are often on different schedules but reunite most evenings between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. to chill and just hang out.
In the midst of their final semester, Milbank 36 offered some parting wisdom on their time at Hamilton. Dzierzgowski believes that, at Hamilton, “finding balance is really important, extracurriculars, friends, academics and alone time.” While most would admit that Hamilton felt like it would last an eternity freshman year, being an upperclassman offers a different perspective.
Marin reflected that, “your time is finite and spend it with those you want to spend it with, and with those you love and care about, and not just where you think you’re supposed to be.” MacDonald agreed that prioritizing time with those you care about is important, and that you should “be comfortable saying no,” mostly with regards to putting yourself in unpleasant social situations. Smith added that it is important to “also say yes to as many things as possible. I feel like I’ve built so much community through putting myself in somewhat uncomfortable situations, and showing up to things by myself.”
Lissarrague, reflecting on the space they created, emphasized that, “having a really nice home and place to come back to sets up everything else to be really nice.” Milbank 36 residents and the lively environment in this suite has further fostered their connection, and has allowed them to cherish and enjoy their final year college.
