Memorial Union

On Wednesday, May 9th, Opsis Architects and Andersen Construction met with representatives from the Student Experience Center for regularly scheduled meeting.  These meeting occur every other week on Wednesday and divided into different work sessions.  This week Opsis and Andersen met with SEC Space Committee, The MU East Wing Committee, the Craft Center (basement level of the SEC) and Student Media (fourth floor of the SEC).  Here are notes for those meetings.

Student Experience Center

SEC Meeting on May ninth focused on floors one through three of the Student Experience Center. Opsis architects and Anderson engineers spent last week mulling over value engineering studies which were reviewed and discussed, revealing the withdrawal of one of two large ventilation shafts.

As representatives worked through the building, each level was assessed for necessary changes. To start, ground floor discussion centered on the relocation of the kitchenette. However, the second floor revolved around the creation of a lactation room, addition of space for Diversity Development, and the reorganization of office areas in the Center for Civic Engagement.  Lastly, third floor conversation featured major changes in spatial needs warranting complete reorganization. This may mean the addition of a special session between Opsis and SEC-SAPC constituents assigned to that floor. 

Finally, an accessibility workshop scheduled for May 23rd at 3pm in Memorial Union 208 will house discussion on various ADA issues in the both the main and amphitheater style stairways.

MU East Wing Renovation

Contractors, architects, and various renovation committees met on May ninth to discuss a menu of twenty-five distinct alternatives for building layout and design. Each choice differed in allotment of square footage, tenant placement, and appropriated budget amounts.

As of recent, consensus is being reached on quite a few projects including but not limited to the renovation of the MU Ballroom ground floor bathrooms, addition of a new stair to ground floor, ramping revisions, replacement of the existing basement AHU, and an ADA lift at the Ballroom stage.

Furthermore, with a huge loss of revenue following the relocation of the bookstore, a goal has been set from the standpoint of all work groups to generate income, something that cannot be done without four revenue building businesses. With this in mind, if projects that are on the table require additional funding, they can be justified by their generation of future funds.

Craft Center (Basement Level of SEC)

The inherit conflict in last week’s meeting between Opsis and Craft Center representatives was the withdrawal of the main stairway from the fourth floor. Not only does this change the layout by adding a significant amount of lobby space but also eliminates the Craft Centers presence from upper floors.

Over the next few weeks all parties involved will mull over this obstacle, as well as project design and layout, i.e. woodshop, ventilation entities, trap drains, and hose bibs. Once the list has been back checked and corrections made to the schematic design, reconfiguration can commence.

Student Media (Fourth Floor of the SEC)

Much of the meeting between head architects of Opsis and Student Media representatives on May 9th was allocated to the reorganization of office and storage space in an attempt to create better work flow.

Also concerns were expressed about sound transfer by way of window and wall design. Representatives were quick to remind both architects and engineers of the need for floating floors in both radio and recording studios in an effort to limit sound vibration throughout the remainder of the building.

As of recent, architectural drawings include a roof antenna modeled after the current one on Snell Hall, and the possible addition of a microwave dish. However, before continuing to the historic review commission, Opsis and Anderson will spend time reviewing and incorporating the changes requested on the ninth.

Student Experience Center/Space Alocation and Policy Committee (SEC/SAPC) assembly on May third dealt with issues relative to space allocation and constituent feedback.

At this point in project development assessments are being made to the most recent project sheet. Serious consideration is currently placed on the need for office space and floor plan alteration; including discussion on decreasing the size of the central stairway opening. Previously employed as a means of creating the “atrium effect,” the original idea of the open stairway was to bring natural light to all floors. However, as of recent, the flight will no longer be going through the fourth floor, offering the opportunity for size adjustment. Decorative though it is, the amount of space monopolized by such an opening warrants a great deal of money in the name of connectivity and aesthetics. 

Additionally, Craft Center spokespersons reported the need for solidification of details due to the complexity of their part of the project. With additional revisions demanding attention these representatives requested, and were granted, personal time with architects in an effort to reduce haste caused miscommunications. Meetings with Opsis will commence on Wednesday, May ninth.

On Wednesday, April 25th, Opsis Architecture, Andersen Construction and OSU Construction Management meet with Student Experience Center and Memorial Union East Wing renovation committees. The focus was restarting the planning process after a break of a little more than year.  Below are notes from the three group meetings.  These meetings will reoccur every other week into June.

Student Experience Center

Last week marked a crucial point in design development as meetings between architects and various project committees commenced. Current effort is focused on both budget and the re-orientation of project understanding and adaptability which was stunted earlier last year during the design/programming phase. Fortunately decisions that need to be made concerning the Student Experience Center budget doesn’t appear to be impacting floor plans or square footage, but have more to do with materials, structure, furnishings, finishing, etc.

Each floor plan was reviewed for any significant changes that may have procured over the six month break, which revealed two obvious adjustments in building layout. The HSRC will no longer be located in the facility and questions have been surfaced concerning whether the mediation room will be a tenant of the SEC or MU. With that in mind, decisions about the vacant space left behind by the HSRC and determination about the mediation room location will be at the forefront of Space Allocation Committee conversations over the next two weeks.

James Meyer, Head Project Architect from Opsis provided the committee with a tentative timeline revealing the upcoming campus planning committee at the end of June and Historic Review Commission soon after. Construction is projected to begin in the fall with the intention of a January 16th 2015 completion date.

For the next two weeks, the committee will concentrate on further examination of layout and the “Detailed Project Program” book. Questions, concerns, and alterations will need to be communicated as soon as possible in order to revise assumptions on current spatial needs and desires.

MU East Wing Renovation

On April 25th, the MU East Wing Committee and Architects from Opsis assembled to discuss the most difficult yet pertinent issue in any construction project, the budget. With legislature permitting a maximum amount of $9,177,500 for the project and ACCO projected costs amounting to $14,733,588, drastic cuts are warranted.

Due to its smaller renovation, the Memorial Union has a much more challenging delta than the Student Experience Center. A refresher in site/building analysis opened up discussion of possible changes in programming and schematic designs that could alleviate financial pressure. These consisted of tenant locations, as well as overall facility furnishing, engineering, and floor plan. The reorientation of project details is significant in that it affects both the large concern, being the Historical Review, and small yet noteworthy points such as duct work and ceiling consistencies.

Discussion on the construction of the second Ballroom was long-lasting as ideas flowed concerning space partitioning, external features and acoustical criteria. The thought behind this, and all other aspects of the renovation, is to include the least amount of things possible in an attempt to avoid future manipulations and increase room flexibility.  

Another important aspect of the MU renovation is the accessibility and connectivity of the facility. With the addition of new stairs to increase pedestrian flow as well as a mezzanine level exit, elevator, and expanded Jefferson street entrance, the renovated east wing is planned to be one of the most user-friendly places on campus.

Over the next few weeks, it will be the primary priority of the Mu East Wing Committee to examine every aspect of the renovation project and find what can be cut out or done in a different way.  The meeting on Wednesday wasn’t meant for decision making but instead the brainstorming of possible modifications. Finding 30-40% of the budget is quite the job but as James Meyers, Head Architect of Opsis said, “It’s a big number, which just means we need big ideas about what to do.”

Student Media Center (SEC 4th Floor)

A Meeting on April 25th between Student Media and architects from Opsis examined priorities for construction progress over the next couple of weeks. On Wednesday, primary attention was spent on scope perception and the understanding of technology deliverance and appliance. At this time, input is exceedingly valuable, where as in six months it will be more difficult to incorporate into the project.

Discrepancies in the rough floor plan and schematic final were revealed, illuminating a need for the review and resolution of layout desires. Current plans feature an open space with areas of privacy for ad sales and confidential conversations.

As of today, time is being taken to further discuss the details, and a document is being drawn up of adjacencies and so forth. Over the next two weeks project leaders will work to confirm that the most recent spreadsheet is correct while architects look over discrepancies and create images of open and private offices.

Last week on April 16th, the MU East Wing committee convened to discuss a number of affairs, ranging from budget constraints to architectural design requests. With deadlines approaching and decisions pending, current committee concerns deal mostly in communication with both outside and inside sources.

High on the docket this week is the layout of the soon to be second ballroom to be located in the area now inhabited by the bookstore. This will provide additional event space for the growing student population, while being built in such a manner so as to be flexible in use. Also discussed was the availability of meeting room space in the MU is dwindling and won’t be increasing with the current influx in enrollment. Spaces need to possess more than just high quality, but a degree of adjustability to fit future needs. Something as simple as wheeled furniture and systematically placed doors opens up the room to the possibility of use as an ideal meeting place, classroom, lounge, and much more.

The next step is the creation of an allocation form for groups and businesses locating and relocating into the Memorial Union. The questionnaire will feature a number of queries dealing with desires, planned hours of operation, services provided and facility support such as electricity, plumbing, network, etc. This will allow for proper analysis of special needs from groups such as ISOSU, Student Veterans Support, Banking, and Printing/Mailing services and more.

Twelve years after the Daily Barometer’s front page feature of Snell Hall’s imminent replacement, development has begun. Since obtaining legislative approval in March, strides have been taken towards the relocation of student programs to the Student Experience Center (SEC) from their former home in the structurally unstable Snell Hall.

The SEC will be home to an assortment of student organizations all differing in cause yet founded in the same illustrious groundwork of student leadership, engagement, and involvement. One of the many groups directing this endeavor is the SEC-Center Space Allocation and Policy Committee (SAPC), which met on April fifth to discuss their continued obligation to space design, occupancy planning and architectural collaboration.

As specified in the meeting by Eric Alexander, Co-Chair and Director of Student Leadership and Involvement, “It’s easy to come to a table and represent yourself. However, when we come into this room we need to start by thinking of community first.” As challenging as it may appear, the SEC-SAPC performs nothing short of altruistic, as exhibited by the immense amount of importance placed on community when discussing the creation of a universal design that welcomes every student.

The SEC building project is multifaceted, drawing in input from not only the SEC-SAPC, but also the Construction Committee, Student Fee Impact, and MU East Wing Committee. Current conversations are centered on the creation of an accessible building that is sustainable in both structure and design yet aesthetically pleasing. As of now, being that all tenants have been chosen for the move to the new building, attention is also being spent on reviewing the existing scheme of the project, which currently amounts to 125 percent over budget. In addition to the progress being made on the Student Experience Center, further decisions have to be reached considering the renovation of the Memorial Union East Wing. Numerous spaces are being relinquished as programs leave for the SEC, granting the MU East Wing Committee primary responsibility over making recommendations on vacancies and properly housing all programs formerly located in Snell Hall.

Originally, the plan was to remodel the MU east wing after completion of the SEC. However changes in the financing system for Oregon Higher Education have generated the possibility of constructing both projects at once, meaning not only a conservation of funds but less disruption to campus.  The core purpose of the MU east wing remodel is the formation of a second event area, similar to that of the MU ballroom, allowing more students the ability to reserve space. It will not only be a larger and more functional replacement for the International Forum located in Snell Hall, but will also house the Cultural Meal kitchen, ISOSU/IRC programs, veteran services, and new retail space to generate revenue in an attempt to keep student fees low.

These are projects for the students, by the students as exhibited by the 2:1 ratio of student to faculty on the SEC-SAPC.  You have invested in the funding of this project, and in so deserve to be kept up to date on all design activity and choices. Information and updates on the project will be continually posted to this blog, as well as open meeting times and locations.

Things change rapidly. The goal is to construct a building for the future by thinking in generalities and with the coming years in mind. As Jennifer Creighton-Neiwert of the AABC said, “It’s not where the building is today, it’s where it will be 100 years from now.”

The OSU Daily Barometer provides an update on the process of approval in the current Oregon Legislative session.  If you missed it, you can read it here: SEC currently waiting for state approval.

As the Oregon Legislature begins its month long session this week, one of the items before it is the approval for OSU to sell bond for purposed building projects, including the student backed “Student Experience Center” to replace the structurally unsound Snell Hall.  Building funds have already been approved; the Legislature just needs to approve the sale of bonds to begin construction.

The Corvallis Gazette Times had an article yesterday explaining the process.  You can read it at this link.