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We Are Pfamily!

Located in the Radcliffe Quadrangle, Pfoho is situated at the northernmost corner of Harvard’s campus — which explains its original name of “North House.” The House got a glow-up in 1995, thanks to benefactors Carl Jr. '28 and Carol Pforzheimer '31, and “NoHo” became “Pfoho.” Pfoho has since been the home base for the beautiful community that is seen in the House today, and the House’s sense of community is NoHo joke. One central part of Pfoho’s identity is its residents’ skill in the art of puns, as generation after generation of Pfoho students join in on the playful tradition of adding a “pf” to everyday words. House Committee co-chair Aidan J. Bowers ’26, an Editor-at-Large of The Crimson’s Art Board, noted, “Pf-, you know, is like a huge part of our House,” manifesting through the names of many of the main attractions of the House, such as the “spfa” and “pfarcade.”

Not pfeeling convinced yet? Beyond having their own lingo, Pfoho makes sure to keep their community alive through a really full social calendar which residents pride themselves on. One of the House’s largest traditions, Hygge, invites students to enjoy donuts and cider in the Comstock Living Room, one of the House’s common areas. The name of the event directly translates to “comfortable” in Danish. A space where you’re encouraged to sit back and relax amidst the chaos that we call life at Harvard? Sign us up (no actually, we need it)! If smaller events are more your vibe, Pfoho still has you covered. The House offers steins as many others do, with Bowers shouting out the “failed valenstein” stein — an event catered towards those without luck on Valentine’s Day — as a notable one. Specific to Pfoho, though, is the House’s pfood drops. These “iconic” events, as Bowers describes, are just as they sound; the House will occasionally cater food randomly during the week to provide a midnight snack for its residents. In bringing people together in the dhall, this event specifically has become “a really big hallmark of Pfoho culture” in Bowers’ eyes. If you find yourself needing a breath of fresh air, when the weather brightens up, the House moves to host events such as s’more making on its terrace, a perfect scenic spot which overlooks the entire Quad Lawn.

Another integral feature of Pfoho’s community are the House’s tutors and Faculty Deans, who can commonly be seen eating with students and passing throughout the House exchanging greetings. Bowers recounts that after he transferred from Mather to Pfoho (yes, people do transfer from the River to the Quad), the Faculty Deans recognized him before he even had to introduce himself as a new resident of the House. Being “directly welcomed into the community,” as Bowers describes it, truly affirmed the desires of Pfaculty to support and care for their students, whether they are new or old to the community.

Your New Pfohome

While Pfoho’s community might make it seem like students are always outside of their rooms, the House’s more-than-ideal living situation actually makes it hard to leave them. There are three main living set-ups that Pfoho is known for: their special suite, duplexes, and dingles. Pfoho’s highly sought after suite is the Bell Tower suite, which resides directly under the bell tower in Moors Hall. With a spacious common room, the space is an iconic party spot within the House, and is even where Mark Zuckerberg met his wife, Priscilla. Beyond the Bell Tower suite, duplexes (rooms with two stories) can be commonly found throughout the three main halls of the House: Moors, Comstock, and Holmes. Double the number of floors, double the fun! Dingles, the last — but certainly not the least — notable part of Pfoho’s housing, refers to spaces that are assigned as singles but were originally meant to be doubles.

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What can rising sopfomores expect, you might be wondering? Pfnewbies are likely to be placed into conjoined singles, many of which are triples, in which they’ll dwell in one of multiple singles that are connected to a hallway, but also have doors that connect between them internally. If you love being social but hate waking up to your roommate’s alarm, then Pfoho is for you!

Pfamenities

Just when you think that it can’t possibly get better, Pfoho raises the bar once again when it comes to its array of amenities. Like most Houses, Pfoho is equipped with the typical House amenities of a gym, music practice rooms, and a variety of large common rooms for residents to share. Looking for more? No need to worry — whatever your desire is, Pfoho has the answer. In need of a brain break in the form of games? Pfoho boasts a vibrant arcade, known within the House as the “pfarcade,” which hosts a variety of games for students to enjoy including air hockey. Want a place where you can sit and do nothing without judgement (yes, looking at you)? Another notable feature of the House that is not seen elsewhere is the spfa, which is equipped with luxurious lounge chairs to help you decompress and procrastinate in style. While this all is convincing on its own, Bowers revealed that the House’s Faculty Deans “just did a House refresh” of many of the House’s rooms. A new cafe study space, as well as a serenity space, are in the works, as well as a revamped Senior Common Room. Seems like a great time to be a rising sopfomore!

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Back and Pforth

Already obsessed and looking for more? We can’t blame you — here are some of the answers to your burning Pfoho questions

If you had to describe your House in three words, which three would they be?

AJB: Quirky, pfun, pfriendly.

What side of TikTok do you think that Pfoho would be on?

AJB: I feel like Pfoho would be the TikToks where it’s like a true crime thing but over someone baking cookies, and there’s a Subway Surfers reel beneath it.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about Pfoho?

AJB: That we’re the underdog of the Quad. I feel like we’re overlooked… I think Pfoho has a lot of incredible things in the Quad. We’re not to be overshadowed.

What is one thing that you want first-years to know about your House?

AJB: We’re an incredibly lively and welcoming community. There’s lots to do, always, and it’s going to be a pfabulous, with a pf, time!

There you have it! No matter how you go about it, life in Pfoho is nothing short of pfantastic. Pfoho’s tight-knit community thrives on quirky traditions, spontaneous fun, and an unbeatable spirit that makes the Quad truly feel like home. Look out for polar bears at your door this Housing Day!

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