The Quad Arches are the visual identities of the seven quads at Duke University.
Click on the tabs below to view your quad's arch and an explanation of its ten elements!
The Anatomy of the
Few QUAD ARCH
| Element #1: Principal Color | ROYAL BLUE | Chosen to correspond with the blue color of the bannisters, dooframes, and marble tiles in entrances to Few, this blue is also a reference to one of the primary colors in the Duke Stone Palette |  |
| Element #1: Supporting Color | WARM WHITE | A complement to the deep blue of the principal color, the supporting color is derived from the warm white pressed bricks that line the interior facade of Few Quad |  |
| Element #3: Arbor | EASTERN REDBUD Cercis canadensis | Seen around the exterior and interior of Few Quad, this native tree's bright pink blossoms bloom in early February, connecting to the Quad date of February 8th. By late March, their heart-shaped leaves begin to bud along the tips of the branches. |  |
| Element #4: Foliage | REDBUD BRANCHES & BLOSSOMS | The ornamental foliage around the Few Arch is composed of the late Spring and Summer Redbud leaves and the early Spring pink blossoms |  |
| Element #5: Fauna | THE EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL Sciurus carolinensis | The Few Squirrels are the embodiment of its motto and can be seen scurrying among the many trees around campus all year round. The image of the Squirrels in the Arch is a direct copy of a herald containing a squirrel seen at the upper right of the exterior entrance to Few Tower. |  |
| Element #6: Architecture | FEW TOWER | The unmistakable icon of the Quad, Few Tower is visible from nearly every point on campus and gives the Quad one of its significant numbers, six, for the number of stories in the Tower |  |
| Element #7: Date | FEBRUARY 8, 1938 | Few's date marks the time of the early Spring when the Redbud trees begin to blossom, an early herald of warmer weather to come. It references one of the Quad's Significant Numbers, 8, as well. |  |
| Element #8: Significant Numbers | 6 AND 8 | Six is significant to Few as the number of stories in Few Tower, the Quad's unique architectural feature. From a bird's eye view, the near and far quads of Few form a figure eight, giving the Quad its second significant number also referenced in its date. |  |
| Element #9: Motto | LIBERTAS ET DISCPLINA Freedom and Discipline | Taking the formula of the Duke University motto ("Eruditio et Religio"), "Freedom and Discipline" are the names of the two Squirrels that flank the lower region of the Few Arch. Just as the squirrels are free wild animals but disciplined gatherers, so are Duke students striving for a balance between the new freedoms of the college experience and the discipline needed to execute responsibilities. |  |
| Element #10: Partition | INVERTED CHEVRON | Inverted to cohere with the inverted shield shape of the Arches, the chevron is connected to the architectural form of the gables seen all over Abele Quad buildings. Referencing the chevron in the Duke Family crest, the partition also symbolizes leadership. |  |
The Anatomy of the
Craven QUAD ARCH
| Element #1: Principal Color | DEEP RED | Chosen to correspond with the red Cardinal Flowers in its foliage, Craven Quad's deep red is also a reference to maroon tones palette Duke Stones that build Craven Quad |  |
| Element #1: Supporting Color | WARM WHITE | A complement to the warm red of the principal color, the supporting color is derived from the warm white pressed bricks that line the interior facade of Few Quad |  |
| Element #3: Arbor | WILLOW OAK Quercus phillos | Seen towering over Abele Quad, the Willow Oaks dominate the landscape around Craven and are a living legacy as many of them are seventy years and older. |  |
| Element #4: Foliage | CARDINAL FLOWERS Lobiella cardinalis | The ornamental foliage around the Craven Arch is composed of overlapping Willow Oak branches and the native the late Cardinal Flower which reinforces Craven's deep red principal color and is found in Duke gardens. |  |
| Element #5: Fauna | THE COMMON RAVEN Corvus Corax | The Common Raven (Corvus Corax) can be seen perched atop Craven's gables at various times of the year. Linked to the American Gothic literary sensibility by works such as Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven," the bird personifies Craven's motto by being at once studious of its environment and playfully involved in the circus of the world around it. |  |
| Element #6: Architecture | THE 'NO EVIL' CORBELS | Found at the entrance to Craven X, these classical sculptures are a departure from their Gothic surroundings. They reference the "Three Wise Monkeys" who hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil, joined by a unique fourth depiction that thinks no evil. |  |
| Element #7: Date | OCTOBER 9, 1928 | Around the time the first Willow Oak leaves begin to turn brown and fall from their branches, this date also incorporates one of the Quad numbers,9, and incorporates the year of Craven's construction 1928. |  |
| Element #8: Significant Numbers | 3 AND 9 | Three is special to Craven for several reasons, including the triple chevron that partitions its arch and the three petal clusters of the Cardinal Flowers. Three clusters of three petals form a triad of nine, giving Craven its second number, which is also connected to it's Quad date. Each branch that the Willow Oak that the Raven clutches also has nine leaves. |  |
| Element #9: Motto | STUDIA ET CIRCENSES Studies and Circuses | Taking the formula of the Duke University motto ("Eruditio et Religio"), "Studies and Circuses" make two references: one, to the often-quoted phrase Juvenal "Panem et Circenses" (the "Bread and Circuses," used to appease the Roman populace in later days of the Republic); and two, the attitude of Duke students toward work and play that combines the two in a balanced expression of both. |  |
| Element #10: Partition | TRIPLE CHEVRON | Found on a herald above the east facing entrance to the Craven's House VO, this partition incorporates the Craven number (3) and simultaneously points up to the Raven and down to the No Evil Corbel Sculptures |  |
The Anatomy of the
Kilgo QUAD ARCH
| Element #1: Principal Color | DARK HUNTER GREEN | Chosen for the green marble tiles that ornament several entrances to the Quad, Kilgo's green was also selected for the evergreen Magnolia that grows prominently in the center Of its interior courtyard. |  |
| Element #1: Supporting Color | TRUE BLACK | Complementing the warmth of Kilgo's dark hunter green is a true black supporting color, chosen in part as a reference to one Of Kilgo's significant numbers, 0, because the hexadecimal color code for black is 000000. |  |
| Element #3: Arbor | THE MAGNOLIA Magnolia grandiflora | Standing prominently in Kilgo's inner courtyard, the Magnolia is a symbol Of the beauty Of the American South and can be seen growing all around West Campus. |  |
| Element #4: Foliage | TEA TREE BLOSSOMS | Forming the ubiquitous hedges that ornament the landscape around Duke University including Kilgo Quad, the Tea Tree blossoms were chosen to complement the springtime beauty Of the Magnolia blossoms. |  |
| Element #5: Fauna | THE EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBIT Sylvaogus floridanus | Seen hopping from bush to bush in the springtime, the Kilgo Rabbit embodies the Quad's motto of wandering and discovery. Combined with the date of April 1st (April Fools' Day), this evocation of the Kilgo Rabbit also invites students to playfully journey "down the rabbit hole" of discovery. |  |
| Element #6: Architecture | THE KILGO BELFRY | As the only Quad with a belfry, Kilgo's unique architectural feature holds a special bell named Charlie. Apart from being an iconic and recognizable feature of the Quad, selecting the belfry creates a new opportunity for traditions of ringing the bell that hasn't been heard at Duke for decades |  |
| Element #7: Date | APRIL 01ST 1928 | Occurring close to the springtime blossoming Of the Magnolia trees and Tea Tree blossoms, Kilgo's date references one Of its significant numbers (1) and a chance to celebrate the Quad's year of construction, 1928. |  |
| Element #8: Significant Numbers | O AND 1 AND 8 | Kilgo has three significant numbers: zero, from the shape Of the Quad seen from above; one, from Kilgo's status as the first quad to be constructed on West Campus; and eight, from the number Of houses in Kilgo Quad (I, J, R, l, M, N, O, P) |  |
| Element #9: Motto | PERERRATIO Wandering and Discovery Lost and Found | Taking the formula of the Duke University motto ("Eruditio et Religio"), "Wandering and Discovery" references the labyrinthine hallways of the Quad that be wandered through before discovering and rediscovering one's room, as well as the arc of personal wandering and discovery of purpose, interests, and career while exploring life at Duke. |  |
| Element #10: Partition | REGULAR QUARTERLY | Seen on a herald from the east facing elevation Of Kilgo House O, the quarterly division of Kilgo's Arch is also a reference to one of its significant numbers (the four quarters and four elements within them add up to the Quad number eight). |  |
The Anatomy of the
Crowell QUAD ARCH
| Element #1: Principal Color | GOLDEN YELLOW | Symbolic of both the daytime and the bright ambition of Duke students, Crowell's golden yellow is reinforced by the dawn-colored blossoms of its flora, the Tulip Poplar and Goldenrod. |  |
| Element #1: Supporting Color | CHARCOAL BLACK | Complementing its principal golden yellow, Crowell's charcoal black symbolizes the opposing ideas Of nighttime and humility, The color also gestures toward the Crow and its mischievous personality. |  |
| Element #3: Arbor | THE TULIP POPLAR Liriodendron tulipifeta | With its bright yellow blossoms, the Tulip Poplar evokes Crowell's principal color and can be seen throughout the Duke Forest. |  |
| Element #4: Foliage | THE GOLDENROD Solidago speciose | Seen growing in the Duke Gardens, the Goldenrod is clutched in the beak Of the Crowell Crow as a symbol Of ambition within humility and humility within ambition the lowly plant reaching fantastic heights in the beak Of the Crow. |  |
| Element #5: Fauna | THE AMERICAN CROW Corvus brachyrynchos | Often spotted perching on the gables of Crowell Quad, the American Crow complements the Common Raven of Craven Quad and gives the two Qi the special relationship of "birds of a feather flocking together." Symbolic of mischief, trickery, and other elements of the gothic ethos, the Crow has already became: a mascot for the Quad's personality. |  |
| Element #6: Architecture | THE CLOCKTOWER AND BOSSES | Crowell's recognizable feature is the Clocktower, visible from all parts of campus and keeping time for anyone who wishes to look. As you pass underneath the Clocktower. looking directly up will reveal three architectural depicting the passage of time: Age Teaching Youth and Youth Teaching Age, |  |
| Element #7: Date | SEPTEMBER 22nd 1930 | Arriving at the dawn Of the academic year, Crowell Quad's date references the first date and year students lived in it as it Wag being constructed. It falls on the typical date Of the Autumnal Equinox, a significant yearly transition when the days become shorter and the nights longer. |  |
| Element #8: Significant Numbers | 1 AND 3 AND 7 | Crowell Quad's significant numbers come from the elements in its Arch: one, for the single Crow and unified Quad; three, for the three bosses and the fact that Crowell was the third quad to be and seven, for the seven dentils in the parapet of the clocktower on two of its sides. |  |
| Element #9: Motto | AMBITIO ET HUMILITAS Ambition and humility | Reinforcing Crowell's juxtaposition of day and night, the Quad motto "Ambition and Humility" points out the fundamental balance between vaulting ambition and enduring humility required of all Duke students. |  |
| Element #10: Partition | PARAPET CRENELLY | A gesture to the silhouette Of the Clocktower, the parapet crenellation partitioning the Crowell Arch is instantly recognizable by any Crowell resident, past, present, or future. |  |
The Anatomy of the
Wannamaker QUAD ARCH
| Element #1: Principal Color | SILVER GRAY | Chosen to represent the limestone quarried from Bedford, Indiana that composes the masonry and ornamentation of all the Abele Quad buildings, Wannamaker's silver gray especially references the limestone into which its architectural ornaments are carved. |  |
| Element #1: Supporting Color | CHARCOAL BLACK | Representing the darkest tones in the same limestone that gives the Quad its principal color, Wannamaker's charcoal black provides the visual support for the accents Of blue and green in the Arch. |  |
| Element #3: Arbor | THE EASTERN RED CEDAR Juniperus virginiana | The Eastern Red Cedars compose the majority of the trees in the evergreen stand on the east side of Wannamaker, dropping their berries in mid-Fall each year. |  |
| Element #4: Foliage | BLUE SAGE Salvia azurea | A native plant to the region and found throughout the Duke Gardens at different times of the year, the genus name of Wannamaker's foliage means "healer." |  |
| Element #5: Fauna | THE DEKAY'S BROWNSNAKE Storerio dekayi | Seen slithering around campus, the Dekay's brownsnake is represented by the Serpent seen carved into the left post Of every entrance to Wannamaker's interior. |  |
| Element #6: Architecture | THE GRIFFIN AND SERPENT | Sculpted into the left and right pasts Of every entrance to Wannamaker, the Griffin and the Serpent are a duo unique to the Quad and serve to embody its motto, Boldness (the Griffin) and Contemplation (the Serpent.) |  |
| Element #7: Date | MARCH 23RD 1958 | March 23rd was chosen for the time when the Dekay's brownsnake begins to shed its skin in the Spring. 1958 references the year Of Wannamaker's and gives to Wannamaker its Quad significant numbers, five and eight. |  |
| Element #8: Significant Numbers | 5 AND 8 | Wannamaker's significant numbers were chosen from its year of construction and are embodied in its arch by the central stalk of blue sage, which has five bells on one side and eight the other. |  |
| Element #9: Motto | AUDECIA ET CON-TEMPLATIO Boldness and Contemplation | Embodied by the Quad's architectural features Of the Griffin and the Serpent, Wannamaker's motto is a reminder to balance the contemplative pursuits Of an undergraduate education with bold action that brings those pursuits into reality. |  |
| Element #10: Partition | BEND | The diagonal Bend Of the Wannamaker partition references the long shape Of the Quad itself, the Only Quad which rests on a single axis. |  |
The Anatomy of the
Keohane QUAD ARCH
| Element #1: Principal Color | DEEP ORANGE | Keohane is the only Quad built out Of Duke Brick, a pattern designed specifically for Duke to parallel its counterpart of Duke Stone, Its color palette is a series of desaturated oranges, giving Keohane Quad its principal color. |  |
| Element #1: Supporting Color | DEEP NAVY | The base levels of Keohane A, B, and D are composed of an additional pattern Of Ike Brick that is predominantly deep blue-gray in color, supporting the principal orange. |  |
| Element #3: Arbor | THE CAROLINA RED MAPLE Acer rubrum | Lining the south facing elevation Of Keohane D is a row Of Carolina Red Maples, whose leaves become a bright orange like the Quad color before turning their final red in the Fall each year. |  |
| Element #4: Foliage | RED MAPLE LEAVES | Turning from a pale yellow-green in the Spring to a deep hunter green in the Summer to several shades of orange. red. and brown in the Fall, the Red Maple leaves are Keohane's ornamental foliage. |  |
| Element #5: Fauna | THE AMERICAN SHORTHAIR CAT Felis catus | Seen all around West Campus, the American Shorthair Cat is especially connected to the Story Of Keohane Quad by its residents' longtime tradition Of caretaking for Stray campus cats. |  |
| Element #6: Architecture | THE KEOHANE BRIDGES | Keohane has three bridges: between Wannamaker and Keohane the roof of Keohane D, and between McLendon Tower and Keohane E. The last of these gives shape to the Quad's Arch partition and symbolizes this prominent feature Of the Quad's architecture. |  |
| Element #7: Date | NOVEMBER 02ND 2002 | Chosen for the time when the color changes Of the Red Maple leaves are reaching their peak, the Quad date also references Keohane's significant number (2) during the first year Of Keohane A and B's construction. |  |
| Element #8: Significant Numbers | 2 AND 2 | Embodied in the two eats and two maple leaves in the Arch. Keohane's significant numbers reference the Quad's date and the two twin Houses on East Campus linked to the Quad, Randolph and Blackwell. |  |
| Element #9: Motto | LEVITAS GRAVITAS Levity and Gravity Silliness and Senousn ess | Taking the form of Duke Üniversity's motto ("Eruditio et Religio"), the Keohane motto references balancing the fun and excitement Of the college experience with the gravity Of choices students begin to while here. The motto also gives the Keohane cats their names and is embodied by cat-like regality and frivolity. |  |
| Element #10: Partition | BRIDGE PARTITION | A direct reference to the curved and straight I-beams Of the bridge between McLendon Tower and Keohane the Bridge Partition is a unique evolution Of partitioning for Keohane Quad. |  |
The Anatomy of the
Edens QUAD ARCH
| Element #1: Principal Color | DEEP PURPLE | Edens is the only Quad built out of the prefabricated Duke Stone panels that were the innovation of University Architect James A Ward. Because the Duke Stone in these panels is turned an its face instead of its side. its color tones shift from the balance of oranges and blues seen in Abele Quad buildings to a royal purple, giving Edens its principal color. |  |
| Element #1: Supporting Color | BONE WHITE | Representing the facades of the Shaeffer Buildings in Edens (3A and 3B) and the color of the Stag's antlers, a bone white color supports Edens' principal purple. |  |
| Element #3: Arbor | THE AMERICAN BEECH TREE Fagus grandifolia | Seen prominently around Edens and especially as you walk through sections IA and 113, the American Beech Tree has bright green leaves in the Summer that turn a golden orange in the Fall The latter Was selected to complement the deep purple and bone white Quad Colors |  |
| Element #4: Foliage | ENGLISH IVY Hedera Helix | Edens' English Ivy can be seen ornamenting the exterior of its buildings and walkways and the exterior of its Arch. The hardiness of English Ivy also represents the resilience of Edens residents, as referenced in the Q motto. |  |
| Element #5: Fauna | THEWHITE-TAILED DEERSTAG Odocoileus virginiana | Chosen because Edens is the Only Quad in which deer can be spotted, the White-Tailed Deer is the Edens Fauna choice. The seven points on each antler embodies the Quad's significant number (7). |  |
| Element #6: Architecture | THE EDENS STAIRCASES | Embodying the many staircases taken to get to and from Edens Quad, the Edens staircases are represented in the dancetty line Of its per chevron partition The staircases also symbolize the Quad motto, Descending and Ascending. |  |
| Element #7: Date | FEBRUARY 19TH 1966 | The general time of year when the Stag sheds its antlers, Edens Quad's significant date commemorates transition and new beginnings. The year 1966 references the first year Of Edens Quad's construction. |  |
| Element #8: Significant Numbers | 7 | Chosen for the seven buildings of Edens QIi.*d (IA, 1B, IC, 2A, 2.C, 3A, and 3B), their significant number seven is also embodied in the points of the stag's antlers. |  |
| Element #9: Motto | DESCENDENS ASCENDENS Descending and Ascending | Reinforcing the reference of the Quad's architectural feature and partition, the Edens motto not only embodies the primary by which students come and go from the Quad, but also symbolizes resilience of Duke students as they navigate the inevitable ups and downs of the student experience. |  |
| Element #10: Partition | DANCETTY LINE PER CHEVRON AND CURVED CHIEF | Gesturing toward the many stairs Of Edens Quad, the stair-shaped lines of the per chevron partition are complemented at the base by a curved chief representing the Edens creek and its bridge. |  |
Background
The Quad Arches are the visual identities of the seven QuadEX Quads at Duke. More than simply logos, the Arches serve to create a distinct sense of place and belonging for all students who live in the Quads, past, present, and future. They do this by referencing the natural and built environment of the Quads, including local flora and fauna and architectural features unique to each building. Each Quad Arch contains ten elements: a principal color, a supporting color, an arbor (tree species), foliage (ornamental floral or leaf element), fauna (the Quad’s animal), an architectural feature unique to the Quad, a significant date, significant numbers, a motto (based on the formula of Duke University’s “Eruditio et Religio”), and a partition that divides the shape of the Arch.
What style are they designed in, and why? The Arches are related to heraldry, the vernacular visual language of many colleges and universities around the world, including Duke. Referencing this same style connects students to the experience of living on Julian Abele’s collegiate gothic West Campus. Inverting the shield found at the heart of traditional heraldry creates a gothic arch, an immediately recognizable symbol for all who set foot on Duke’s campus. While the traditional shape of the shield references battle settings and bloodlines, the Arches symbolize journey and transformation, central characteristics of the Duke undergraduate experience.
Why are there so many elements? There will always be a broad diversity of Duke students who live in the Quads, and the Arches will have many different options of elements with which to identify. You may like one and not care for another, but by having many we can create the opportunity to include everyone.
Who designed them? A team of students, staff, and an artist worked together from August 2022 to April 2023 to build the framework, make the choices, collect community feedback, and execute the designs.
Who gets to use the Arches? Everyone affiliated with a Quad! That includes first years in a linked House, upper-class students in the Quads, alumni affiliates, and more. The Arches will represent the Quads in official university functions, in informal community events, and, of course, on Quad merchandise.
Acknowledgements
The Quad Arches could not have come into being were it not for the indespensible help of the following staff and students who co-created them.
Landy Elliot | Chief of Staff, Trinity College
Nicholas Chrapliwy | Spark Fellow
Dennis Mathias | Fine Artist and Quad Arches Illustrator
Lee Baker | Professor of Cultural Anthropology
Valerie Gillespie | University Archivist
Amy McDonald | Duke University Archives
Bill Lefevre | Duke Gardens
Mark Hough | Duke University Architect