Nellis Airmen move into first quad dorm Published July 20, 2004 By Staff Sgt. Chris Stagner Air Warfare Center Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFPN) -- More than 120 Airmen here received a quality-of-life improvement July 17 when they moved into the Air Force’s first quad-style dormitory.The dormitory provides a quad that will be shared by four Airmen, said Tech. Sgt. Mike Merlo, 57th Equipment Maintenance Squadron dorm manager. “It’s the new standard in the Air Force,” he said.Each quad contains many items not seen in past Air Force dorms.“The first thing people might notice when they walk in the quad is the kitchenette area,” said Sergeant Merlo. “The kitchenettes provide each quad with a full-sized fridge, microwave, sink and stove top.”Another change from past dorms is the addition of full-sized washers and dryers in every quad.“In the old dorms, we had four washers and dryers on every floor,” said Airman 1st Class Trevor Powers, a 57th EMS Aircraft Structural Maintenance specialist. “It’s nice to not have to walk to the laundry room and wait while my laundry is being done and not have to worry about someone leaving their clothes in the washer or dryer and not knowing who they belong to.”Each quad also has a kitchen table in a small social area with a stereo and a private balcony.“The goal in these dorms was to provide Airmen more privacy, but to also allow them to have a place to socialize,” said Gary Faron, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron facility projects team chief.Besides the common area, each quad has four rooms to house four Airmen.“They all have private bathrooms,” Sergeant Merlo said. “Each bathroom is apartment-style with a full-size bathtub.”“They’re a lot more comfortable,” Airman Powers said. “It’s nice to be able to come home and take a bath.”The goal of the new dorm design is to move dorms from their traditionally institutional design to a more residential feel, Mr. Faron said.“The new dorms make it feel like you have your own apartment,” said Airman 1st Class Brian Clement, a 57th EMS crew chief. “It’s almost like living off base.”The dorm will house 144 Airmen in 36 quads. It was built in 16 months and cost about $10 million, Mr. Faron said.