Campus Construction

[Boomer]

Will the one dorm be ready for this year's Fall semester???

[CajunsHat]

Will the one dorm be ready for this year's Fall semester???

YES...the dorms HAVE to be finished. They are already booked for students. I even talked to the developers for the project and they assured me this campus will look amazing (just like the 3D video that was made) and they said parking garage and 1st set of dorms will be done.


igeaux.mobi

[HelmutVII]

_ Will the one dorm be ready for this year's Fall semester??? _

As stated above New Baker will be finished. They may have a few exterior things to do but they will be able to occupy it. The parking garage will be a closer situation though. It won't be critical until school starts though. The credit Union office space will not be ready, but that's not critical either as they have temporary space at the corner of Lewis and Johnston. New Huger is moving at a much faster pace then New Baker and it looks like it will be finished well ahead of the start of the Spring Semester.

If the weather holds they should be able to sod the Band practice field this week. When they do that it will look finished even if there are a few minor things to be done.

[HelmutVII]

_Also while it's nice to match the style of the older buildings they could have created a better design for dorms imo but the layout will be nice and these have been much needed for some time.

It looks like these designs were a canned design that are used over and over again. They just change the exterior finish to match, as close as possible, the existing buildings on the campus they are on. Ambling does this all over the country and most of the designers don't set foot on the campus when they are working on a project.

[Just1More]

I'm very amazed and pleased with this construction... without having seen it first-hand. Thanks for all of the pictures and explanations HelmutVII.

I read your non-matching brick/stained concrete comment. I'm certain the interior and newer features (HVAC, lighting, access, etc) of new buildings are most important to their daily inhabitants. But, is the overall architectural application impressive for a university campus? I liked our UL campus building architecture and landscaping "look"... even as it took on changes over the years. Sorry for such an uneducated question... but do the new buildings simply mesh with the existing architecture/landscape and/or do they reflect some modern or different architecture? I'm sure things look different because they are different in size and shape... and they're new... but are they really "different looking"?

[HelmutVII]

_ I'm very amazed and pleased with this construction... without having seen it first-hand. Thanks for all of the pictures and explanations HelmutVII.

I read your non-matching brick/stained concrete comment. I'm certain the interior and newer features (HVAC, lighting, access, etc) of new buildings are most important to their daily inhabitants. But, is the overall architectural application impressive for a university campus? I liked our UL campus building architecture and landscaping "look"... even as it took on changes over the years. Sorry for such an uneducated question... but do the new buildings simply mesh with the existing architecture/landscape and/or do they reflect some modern or different architecture? I'm sure things look different because they are different in size and shape... and they're new... but are they really "different looking"? _

The new buildings are more in line with the traditional look and feel of the older buildings on campus except they are bigger. The removal of Denbo and Bancroft was a step in the right direction. You may notice all of the older buildings on campus have an arch somewhere on the facade, 6 over 6 double hung windows and red brick. They also have a shingled roof with a pitch of about 6 on 12 to 8 on 12 with terra cotta ridge and hip caps.

My comment about the brick was made in passing knowing full well that somebody either at the University or in the Architecture community will make a comment that they don't match. Bricks that don't match do not affect the function of the building as you noted. However, somebody with an eye for such things will notice it and have an opinion one way or another. I'm thinking that, over time, with dirt, mold and mildew will cover up any difference in color. My main opinion is that the top of the field applied brick is out beyond the cast in place concrete structure. If they don't flash (or seal) the top of that brick, then it will be a constant source of water into the building resulting in mold inside the credit union offices. Regardless, any attempt to match the difference in color might make the situation worse. All this under the assumption that the field applied brick is not scheduled to be painted (given that they are not finished).

[awadelewis]

_ I'm very amazed and pleased with this construction... without having seen it first-hand. Thanks for all of the pictures and explanations HelmutVII.

I second that motion as well! Thanks for the posts.

Sorry for such an uneducated question... but do the new buildings simply mesh with the existing architecture/landscape and/or do they reflect some modern or different architecture? I'm sure things look different because they are different in size and shape... and they're new... but are they really "different looking"? _

I think the new dorms fit well with the rest of the buildings on campus. We'll be able to say the same thing about the Rose Garden dorms given what I've seen with the new Baker and Huger dorms + the drawings of the other dorms.

The new parking garage looks like... well, a parking garage. But the garage was put into a place where it doesn't really distract from the overall campus appearance. As an aside, what's one of the bigger incentives for UL to buy the old Lourdes campus? Their parking structures.

In terms of how buildings look on campus, Dr. A put the hammer down after what happened with Fletcher Hall and had his staff draw up a set of architectural guidelines for the campus. It's still being used by Dr. S.'s staff to guide the work going on campus.

[Just1More]

_ The new buildings are more in line with the traditional look and feel of the older buildings on campus except they are bigger. The removal of Denbo and Bancroft was a step in the right direction. You may notice all of the older buildings on campus have an arch somewhere on the facade, 6 over 6 double hung windows and red brick. They also have a shingled roof with a pitch of about 6 on 12 to 8 on 12 with terra cotta ridge and hip caps.

My comment about the brick was made in passing knowing full well that somebody either at the University or in the Architecture community will make a comment that they don't match. Bricks that don't match do not affect the function of the building as you noted. However, somebody with an eye for such things will notice it and have an opinion one way or another. I'm thinking that, over time, with dirt, mold and mildew will cover up any difference in color. My main opinion is that the top of the field applied brick is out beyond the cast in place concrete structure. If they don't flash (or seal) the top of that brick, then it will be a constant source of water into the building resulting in mold inside the credit union offices. Regardless, any attempt to match the difference in color might make the situation worse. All this under the assumption that the field applied brick is not scheduled to be painted (given that they are not finished). _

Outstanding explanations once again. Thanks a great deal. You are including all of us in this very impressive campus modernization. I know you do this while on your walks around campus, but I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to capture the progress in pictures, sharing them with us, and lending this forum your professional evaluations.

[ULEverywhere]

In terms of how buildings look on campus, Dr. A put the hammer down after what happened with Fletcher Hall and had his staff draw up a set of architectural guidelines for the campus. It's still being used by Dr. S.'s staff to guide the work going on campus. _

Lmao. So dr. A thought fletcher was ugly as well? I hate that building, and on campus tours they always brag about how it's the only non-brick building on campus..

[ulforlife]

In terms of how buildings look on campus, Dr. A put the hammer down after what happened with Fletcher Hall and had his staff draw up a set of architectural guidelines for the campus. It's still being used by Dr. S.'s staff to guide the work going on campus. _

Interesting, while Fletcher may not be the most beautiful building on campus (it isn't close) it has some nice functionality. I am in favor of modern design but many people lose sight of what modern design really is. It should be design with purpose that uses material and knowledge of what we have today. You don't see people going out and buying remade Volkswagon beetles (like you see in Mexico), you see people buying sleeker, safer, more efficient, better designed vehicles that are made using all the latest technology of today. That's why older vehicles are cherished so much, because they were the cars of their time made to the best specifications of their time. Architecture is very similar. Look at the University Art Museum, it's a beautiful design that serves it's site very well.

I did not realize UL had a strict set of guidelines but it seems to make sense now considering all the buildings look the same. All in all these dorms will be very nice and happily received. Long overdue certainly

[HelmutVII]

_ Outstanding explanations once again. Thanks a great deal. You are including all of us in this very impressive campus modernization. I know you do this while on your walks around campus, but I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to capture the progress in pictures, sharing them with us, and lending this forum your professional evaluations. _

Thank you very much. It's no problem really, since I go for walks almost every day, but it's after dark. On Saturday I can go out during the day and I just take my camera. I originally got interested in the project because Denbo and Bancroft were being constructed when I was in the fourth grade at, then, Hamilton Laboratory School (now Hamilton Hall). I figured I saw them go up and now I'll see them go down. Kind of makes one feel old though. The dorms along University Avenue will be easier to photograph because all I will have to do is cross the street.

[leeman]

Not sure if this was mentioned but, How many rooms will the new dorms consist of?.. the project looks massive.. Also, will the parking garage be for the students that live in the dorms or first come first serve type basis.. It's just amazing to see this amazing progress. When I went to school there, I would spend 1/2 hr looking for a parking space and end up parking in girard park and being late for class..lol.. Glad to see the progress and helmut thanks for all of the info and pics.!