Student Union Construction.

[CajunEXPRESS]

The thing about "modern" design vs classical is this, they lose fashion. I grew up in that era, the modern buildings were passé almost the day they built in most instances.

[HelmutVII]

Okay, I've wanted to get this off my chest for a while. Contrary to some comments made on this site about the 'eye sore' buildings, I very much like/admire the mid-century modern (MCM) style ......"Form Follows Function".......and regret that we will be loosing these architectural gems. Well, not so much the old Olivier and Corona halls, as I feel they are too far gone, and really block the view and access to Cypress Lake. But Guillory is a different story: It is a truly elegant little building, and could have been easily put to another use. Not to mention its very cool balcony over the lake, which, despite comments otherwise, I doubt they will recreate. And it even has red bricks, lol (well, orangey-red anyway)! I just think that we should be more careful before tearing down our history. Just sayin'.

Although I have searched on-line for more pics, attached is the only one I could find. In any event, the ad kind of paints a different picture of what is now derided as "eye sore".....they were truly state of the art, and not so long ago, ;-)

I saw that photo from the PCA. The buildings were very nice in the day. However, due to lack of maintenance they have degenerated into a severe case of disrepair. They do have a certain amount of ambiance to them though. The third floor balcony f the building above overlooking cypress lake is quite nice. The Guillory hall balcony over Cypress Lake is a destination for every visitor that goes on campus. I will take some up close and personal photos of the buildings next week. The buildings are indeed sturdy and could be renovated if they wanted to but I think there fate is sealed.

[HelmutVII]

For one thing, all the buildings that are being used for junk storage, Like Stephens Hall, need to be cleaned up. Also, unless they've already done it....upgrade some of the older buildings inside....I remember Broussard hall still had old wood floors (back in 1999).

Stephens hall is the location of the computer center. There is a large computer lab on the first floor and the main frame is on the second floor. Broussard hall is a WPA building made of concrete and masonry. There are no wood floors in the building. I took physics in that building back in 1973 with Dr. Bernard (great teacher) and Dr Holdeman (kind of far out).

[CajunRebel]

Okay, I've wanted to get this off my chest for a while. Contrary to some comments made on this site about the 'eye sore' buildings, I very much like/admire the mid-century modern (MCM) style ......"Form Follows Function".......and regret that we will be loosing these architectural gems. Well, not so much the old Olivier and Corona halls, as I feel they are too far gone, and really block the view and access to Cypress Lake. But Guillory is a different story: It is a truly elegant little building, and could have been easily put to another use. Not to mention its very cool balcony over the lake, which, despite comments otherwise, I doubt they will recreate. And it even has red bricks, lol (well, orangey-red anyway)! I just think that we should be more careful before tearing down our history. Just sayin'.

Although I have searched on-line for more pics, attached is the only one I could find. In any event, the ad kind of paints a different picture of what is now derided as "eye sore".....they were truly state of the art, and not so long ago, ;-)

Like you I'm also a big fan of MCM architecture.

However the problem with MCM architecture is that it doesn't fit in with it's surroundings. MCM buildings in general were created to be bold standalone pieces that stood apart from everything else. Unfortunately this doesn't work well on a college campus. The ugliest campuses in America were built during the MCM era because they are full of big, bold buildings that don't mesh at all with the other buildings on campus. If you ever get a chance check out UNO's disjointed campus. It's a great example of where MCM architecture went wrong.

Today, the approach is to design buildings that mesh with it's surroundings and with other buildings. That's why we're tearing down Olivia and Corona Halls. They weren't built to fit in with the rest of campus. And every building on campus should fit in with it's surroundings.

Some MCM buildings on campus were renovated to do just that. When the MCM Dupre Library was renovated they took it's MCM design and attempted to connect it with the rest of campus by incorporating elements from other campus buildings into it's design. And the result is a building that "fits" much better than the standalone, cold, white box it used to be.


And of course a building can still be ultra-innovative and ultra-modern while still incorporating itself with the rest of campus. The UL Art Museum is one of the finest examples of this in the entire nation.


The new Student Union will use the same design principles. It won't pretend to be old but it won't look out of place with the buildings around it. The new campus is being designed by the same people who designed River Ranch. Their aim is to make a campus that "gels" in the same way the buildings in River Ranch "gel" together so nicely.

[CajunNation]

The thing about "modern" design vs classical is this, they lose fashion. I grew up in that era, the modern uniforms were passé almost the day they were worn in most instances.

This works as well.

[LaCajunsFan]

Thanks for a great post, and while I agree with some of what you said, I disagree that every building should 'fit in' with other buildings......guess I'm just an am anarchist at heart, lol.
I also don't think that Dupre was really ever a MCM, but then again, not sure what category it would have been place in.

[HelmutVII]

Dupre library was originally a single story building. The second and third floors were added several years later. Hence, the precast concrete sections on the second and third floors. The rear section was added on about 10 years ago (I think). That's why it looks like three different buildings.

[LaCajunsFan]

BTW, CajunRebel, if the 'new' union was as cool as the art museum, you'd have NO complaints from me, :-)

[LaCajunsFan]

Didn't know that it started out as a one story building....you are, as usual, right......that explains a lot about Dupre, lol.......basically a mish-mash of styles.

[LaCajunsFan]

Didn't know that it started our as a one story building....you are, as usual, right......that explains a lot about Dupre, lol.......basically a mish-mash of styles.