2008 Woodie Awards
University Union reconstruction progressing
By Andrew Donofrio
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: News
During an annual academic assembly address at Swope Music Hall on Sept. 18, Slippery Rock University President Robert Smith revealed a list of initiatives intended to improve the school's campus.
Part of the list outlined the administration's continuing effort toward a sequenced architectural facelift at the university. With a $120 million residence hall replacement project in progress and a new Advanced Technology and Science Hall already completed, Smith told the assembly the university will meet student expectations by "creating an exceptional learning environment."
According to Smith, the next phase of reconstruction involves the design of a new student union building to replace the more than 30-year-old University Union. Architects from two firms met with various campus organizations on Sept. 19 and 20 to add input to an initial design study completed two years ago by WTW Architects of Pittsburgh.
During the two-day visit, Phil Hundley, President of DRS Architects in Pittsburgh, along with Pablo Savid-Buteler, Nancy Harrod and Carter Reich of Sasaki Associates, Inc. in Boston, listened to the proposal needs and desires of students, faculty and staff.
DRS Architects recently designed the FBI Field Office, as well as the Student Service Building for the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh. Sasaki has designed academic buildings for more than 40 years, including the new Jamestown Residence Halls at the College of William & Mary, which were completed in August.
"Each firm gathers more information and detail," said Paula Olivero, assistant vice president for student development.
Olivero said meetings were to establish a global perspective of what students wanted two years after the first feasibility study with WTW Architects. According to Olivero, the additions of a movie theater, mid-sized performing arts studio and franchise coffee shop at the new union were the most requested items by students in the last survey.
Part of the list outlined the administration's continuing effort toward a sequenced architectural facelift at the university. With a $120 million residence hall replacement project in progress and a new Advanced Technology and Science Hall already completed, Smith told the assembly the university will meet student expectations by "creating an exceptional learning environment."
According to Smith, the next phase of reconstruction involves the design of a new student union building to replace the more than 30-year-old University Union. Architects from two firms met with various campus organizations on Sept. 19 and 20 to add input to an initial design study completed two years ago by WTW Architects of Pittsburgh.
During the two-day visit, Phil Hundley, President of DRS Architects in Pittsburgh, along with Pablo Savid-Buteler, Nancy Harrod and Carter Reich of Sasaki Associates, Inc. in Boston, listened to the proposal needs and desires of students, faculty and staff.
DRS Architects recently designed the FBI Field Office, as well as the Student Service Building for the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh. Sasaki has designed academic buildings for more than 40 years, including the new Jamestown Residence Halls at the College of William & Mary, which were completed in August.
"Each firm gathers more information and detail," said Paula Olivero, assistant vice president for student development.
Olivero said meetings were to establish a global perspective of what students wanted two years after the first feasibility study with WTW Architects. According to Olivero, the additions of a movie theater, mid-sized performing arts studio and franchise coffee shop at the new union were the most requested items by students in the last survey.
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