Beyond the yellow brick road
The design of the building will not be in the Hornbostel yellow-brick style. It is going to be a “contemporary” design. Some people have asked whether this will fit into our campus.
For those who went to any of Mack Scogin’s (the principal architect) presentations they saw the deep appreciation and understanding he has of our campus architecture. He has taken many cues from this architecture for the Gates Center, but many of these cues are subtle. Given this, some people have expressed concern that we will build something that does not fit into its context, while others are delighted that we are building something that is pushing toward the future.
People have pointed out that many of the existing non yellow-brick buildings on our campus are ugly and do not fit in. There are a couple reasons to believe that this building will not follow in the aesthetic footsteps of these buildings—the relative quality of the architects, and the era. I’m not sure if people realize that Wean, Donner, Cyert and the Old Student Center were all designed by the same architect. The architect also designed the Allegheny Center, Three Rivers Stadium, and those round highrise dorms on the University of Pittsburgh campus.
April 21st, 2006 at 8:25 am
I remember an article in FOCUS that Architecture Professor Omer Akin did 3 or 4 years ago on the topic of Beyond the Yellow Brick Road. Can you reprint that in this blog?
April 21st, 2006 at 5:43 pm
It appears that the Gates Center will be so closely socked in between the many other buildings that appreciation for whatever design is rendered will be based on limited views.
April 24th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
I belive this is it
April 24th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
I don’t think visibility of the building will be a problem. It will be visible from Forbes and the West Quad, and from part of the cut. Others have argued that it will be too visible and should be tucked behind the Purnell Center and out of sight. I guess this depends on one’s opinion of the architecture.
April 25th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Please excuse me if this is a private conversation, but I recently had a conversation that touched obliquely on Professor Akin’s points which I’ve copied below:
“Re: Bill Gates Building
Wow–thanks for the great photos and article! I’d seen a photo in the Post Gazette last week but nothing like the photos you sent to give perspectives. I’m glad we had a chance to walk the area before the big excavation project. The windows and building shape are pretty neat. I agree with the concerns about the fascade and how well it will hold up, as well as the grey color. Considering how crummy Wean Hall and Donner Hall look (even though they are relatively “new” by campus standards, CMU doesn’t need another modern building that looks like it’s deteriorating 25 years from now. ”
My response:
“Donner Hall looked crummy the day it was built (around about 1952, I believe). It is by far the worst abomination on campus and should be torn down immediately. I hate everything about it.
However, I don’t agree about Wean Hall. It is dirty, without question, but it is basically a nicely architectured building in my opinion. There were a lot of poured concrete buildings built back then. I wonder if they all have the same problem with dirt build up. Concrete is somewhat porous and probably hard or expensive to clean. I wonder if there is a possibility of painting it with an epoxy type coating or something. It needs exterior restoration and protection, but I still like the basic building.”
Does anyone know about the possibility of cosmetic work for Wean?
By the way, I also think the renderings for the Gates building look great. I can’t wait to see the finished product.
May 14th, 2006 at 10:39 am
Although I can appreciate people wanting to move away from the original architecture as it makes our campus look like it’s right out of the industrial era of 100 years ago, but its also what gives our campus continuity. When I first got here three years ago I wasn’t so keen on the appearance of the buildings, but I knew then that I liked the consistent architecture offered by the buildings in that style.
I think it’s important to keep this style for the new Gates center because it is visible from Forbes Avenue, and is nestled in with other buildings which have the classic look. Give me the green roofs and yellow brick anyday!