The Education Building and KAM

4/14/15

                Today, we went to the Education Building and the Krannert Art Museum. The Education Building was meant to be a set of two. It is lowered into the ground and across the field from it, where THB currently resides, there was intended to be another Education like building. This mirroring would echo the two pavilions at the UGL. As you approach the Education Building, the transition from outside is blurred. The cement on the outside has very large stones in it and the closer it gets to being inside, the rocks get smaller. There is also a large window at the front that the outside pavement seems to run right through. The whole building was set up with a symmetry in mind. There are two hallways on either side that seem to run the length of the building (although one does not). The stairs are moved away from the walls, allowing light to fall all the way down to the basement. The basement and the second floor are also larger than the first floor, but the placement of the stairs and the hallway hides this fact for the most part. There is a garden space in the back of the building. It was clearly incorporated into the building design. The walls circle the garden and allow people to surreptitiously slide into the space, giving it a protected feel.

                The next place we went was the Krannert Art Museum. This was built right on the military axis. Its middle section was curved out, pregnant with art. Here, there was a lot of weird art. My favorite was the burnt popcorn. It was just burnt popcorn in some aluminum. It was mind blowing. 

The Main Library, the Foreign Language Building, Smith Hall, and the Institute for Genomic Biology

04/07/15

                Today our walking tour consisted of visiting a few buildings on campus: the Main Library, the Foreign Language Building, Smith Hall, and the Institute for Genomic Biology. Here, we explored some aspects of design and structure of each building.

                The Main Library is a large building at the heart of campus. Its many extensions seamlessly blend into one huge brick building. While inside, we visited the main stacks. Here, many rare books are kept and small cubicle for research are housed. The shelving that holds the books is incorporated into the support system. There are main floors and then a mezzanine floor that is simply cement blocks that is held up with the shelves.

                We then moved to the Foreign Language Building. It seems to stick out from the other buildings, with its inverted ziggurat shape. To some people, the reason for this shape is that is used to house a super computer in the basement and the building, therefore, needed to be able to withstand attack. On our tour, we discussed how another interpretation could stem from biblical times, relating to the Tower of Babel. Instead of trying to build a tour up to God, this building flips that idea on its head and invited God into the building.

                The third building was Smith Hall. The entrance of this building was facing away from the quad, due to its use by those other than the campus and also not to get overshadowed by Foellinger. Its entrance has many layers of columns that telescopes the entrance down to human size. The main auditorium is the first room you encounter as you enter. All of these things give the act of entering a sense of importance and excitement.

                The last building we went to was the Institute for Genomic Biology. Here, there was an emphasis on certain areas, based on their purpose, as designated through the décor. If there was a place that a person was intended to linger and experience, there was a number of unnecessary, from a structural standpoint, additions, from wooden panels, to large voids of space.

Construction Visit

03/02/15

                Today, we toured the construction site at 906 W Nevada, Urbana. This site is being developed into a veteran center. We were able to see the process of constructing a building.

                The basement of the building is primarily home to the operating systems of the building. It contains all of the electrical panels and elevator operating room. It is made out of concrete. This building will have two elevators to accommodate the possibly disabled users of the building.

                The first floor has a very open feel, even in construction. There will be a kitchen installed and an open lounge space. There are large windows on all sides, giving those inside a full view of their surroundings. This was needed to give the veterans a sense of safety. The kitchen will be used to help disabled veterans learn how to use modified appliances.

                The second floor will have offices, class rooms, and a physical therapy exercise room. The third floor will be dedicated to those veterans who will live in the center. Each room will have the capability of being handicap accessible, as a lift system can be set up.

                The building process is very future oriented. For example, all of the wires must be in precise place for the future appliances that might use them. Even some of the best laid plans don’t pan out. There is a bathroom on the first floor that has a few things in the ceiling that will need to be accessed for maintenance. However, they are in multiple places. So, even though for bathrooms it is more desirable to have a hard ceiling with an access panel, this bathroom will have a drop ceiling, for easier access. 

Mt Hope Cemetery

3/31/15

                On today’s tour, we visited the Mt Hope Cemetery. Built long before the university even existed, it has become integrated into the campus. It was built on the highest ground around to stop the graves from flooding. Now, it simply exists on the outskirts of the main campus, displaying names, both familiar and unfamiliar, of people past.

                The first part of the cemetery we visited was a building right against the entrance. This place houses many of the above ground graves. Inside, all of the walls were lined with large stone panels, displaying the names of those who lay behind. Some of the panels had multiple names displayed, some of those hadn’t died yet. This practice shows the value some place on being buried next to their spouses or family.

                Outside, gravestones stretch out, all varying in size, seemingly placed arbitrarily. However, as we walked around, groupings seemed to emerge. The first group we walked through were the Jewish graves. Here, stones were placed on the headstones of graves, marking the visits of loved ones. We then walked through a few military areas of various wars. Each grave in this area had the person’s military involvement of the stone. Then, we were met with a large grassy area. This was left as a potter’s field, for the deceased who were left unidentified.

More familiar names were seen on the edge of the cemetery, facing Memorial Stadium. Those who were involved with the school were placed in there to represent their commitment to the university, even in death.

                Some people’s graves stick out more than others. Those who were richer had far more elaborate graves. Many people had obelisks that rise high into the sky and some have markers to claim a certain plot for their family.

                Overall, the cemetery is a direct representation of those who live and lived in the surrounding area.   

Green Street

3/17/15

                This week, our outing was slightly closer to home. We ventured down to campus town and walked down Green Street, as we discussed the many changed that have occurred on one of the most popular spots on campus. Filled with bars, food, and shopping, Green Street seems almost essential to student survival, so it’s weird to think that it hasn’t always been the student friendly place it is today.

                What started off Green Street’s transformation was the flooding issue that the area had. The Boneyard creek had the nasty habit of overflowing and flooding the surrounding neighborhood. This started the interest in the area.

                A group of students and a faculty member began to take notice of the Green street area and began coming up with ways to improve it. They realized that this space had much more potential that could be used to improve students’ lives on campus. So they began to lobby for making Green Street a place for students; less of a transitional place and more of a place to exist.

                Slowly, Green St became a place people were actually willing to go. The awnings got smaller, the streets narrower, and the sidewalks wider. Soon, people began erecting apartments to house students, as they realized that they could charge much more in rent for a lot less.

                This is the perfect example of a space changing to suit its environment. Green Street could have become a place intended for vehicular travel, but it was instead taken in the opposite direction, and transformed into a place for pedestrian student life. Green Street became the place we know today: a place to eat, drink, and have a good time. 

Downtown Champaign

3/10/15

                This past Tuesday, we went to downtown Champaign. Much of downtown Champaign focuses on its difference from Campus town. Here, people who wish to get away from the college partying can relax, shop, eat, and drink at their leisure. Non-college bars and pubs are what helped the downtown area flourish in the first place.

                The whole downtown area was built upwind from the railroad. This was done so the town could live without having to endure the odor and pollutants of industry. These smells would, intend, be sent downwind, towards Urbana.

                One of the buildings we passed on our walk was the former post office. This building was an impressive, strong looking building. It was wide and relatively short, making it seem very robust. This building was meant to symbol the federal presence in the town. It showed a stronghold of the government, while being a very central, public place. It has a set of large, steep steps to the door, where once, people could congregate.

                We eventually wandered to West Side Park, a large park in the center of downtown Champaign. Surrounding this park are many churches, the library, and a school. Here, the very rural concept of having many aspects of life intertwining come into play. The churches, many of which lie on Church Street, signify a healthy spirit. The park signifies a healthy body. And the library and school signify a healthy mind. All of them can be found together because, to many people, they all are parts of everyday life. 

Architecture XPO

3/5/15

                This Thursday’s trip was to the Architecture Job Expo. Here, more than 30 firms spoke with architecture students about possible recruitment. My mission: to find and interview one of these firms.

                The firm I ended up talking to was Humphreys and Partners. They are a residential firm, designing mostly apartment complexes all over the country. When asked what they were looking for in potential applicants, they said they wanted a strong portfolio and good communication skills. GPA was also important, although it did take a backseat place to the other things. Interns would start their careers there by working on existing projects with higher level employees.

                One of the recruiters was an alumnus of U of I and spoke of how historic and technical the architecture program is here.