Beauty treatment at UC

The ugly sisters are due for a face lift.

 

The University of Cincinnati has hired Messer Construction Co. to oversee the redevelopment of the Sawyer, Scioto and Morgens residence halls at the corner of Jefferson Ave. and Martin Luther King Drive. Early plans call for at least two of the buildings to be stripped to their skeletons, then rebuilt as "sustainable" properties that maximize energy efficiencies and give the northeastern edge of UC's campus a new architectural icon.

Do you have a link to that story?

It's from today's Business Courier.  I'm not sure I like the idea of UC demolishing another high-rise.  Why not renovate all three?  I know many people think they are ugly, but I don't.  Maybe I'm prejudiced because Scioto, the middle one, was my first residence in Cincinnati.  They do need updating since they are over 40 years old.  I wish they had done the same thing, i.e. renovate, update, with Sander Hall.  Demolition seems very wasteful to me.

I would be all for a re-cladding.  I personally dislike the architecture.

i worked for the firm who did the feasibility study on this project several years ago.  it has always been uc's intention to reduce the number of rooms in the complex.  from the start they wanted to either cut back to two towers or remove the top several floors of all three...i personally think the better option won out.

It's from today's Business Courier. I'm not sure I like the idea of UC demolishing another high-rise. Why not renovate all three? I know many people think they are ugly, but I don't. Maybe I'm prejudiced because Scioto, the middle one, was my first residence in Cincinnati. They do need updating since they are over 40 years old. I wish they had done the same thing, i.e. renovate, update, with Sander Hall. Demolition seems very wasteful to me.

 

The school has wanted to unite its undergrad and medical campuses for some time now.  Plans have previously (and still do) call for a tunnel for the portion of MLK that run between those two parts of campus.  I don't see this as being very likely to occur, but I certainly see how demolishing Morgan hall and adding park space can help with the visual linking of the two campuses.  As it stands today, Morgan hall basically walls off the two campuses from each other. 

 

Furthermore, if you look at the spine that has been created in the area between the vontz center, university hall, and the marriot center hotel, you'll see that it lines up perfectly as an entry way to UCs undergrad campus, especially if Morgan hall is demolished and turned into parkspace.  I suspect that the nursing school building would be torn down to amplify this effect as well.

 

I have to agree with the university on this one.

IMO, there is more than enough parkspace in and around campus. 

IMO, there is more than enough parkspace in and around campus.

 

Well, I don't think the aim of the school is to tear down the building JUST for park space.  Their idea is to broaden the view into the main campus as one looks in while traveling down MLK and also to try to form a pedestrian link between west and east campuses. 

This isn't the best of photos to demonstrate my point with, but it'll do for now.  Yeah, I know, they just built a power plant that follows the same general pattern as the old dorms.  I'll take a photo to explain that one later.

 

Here's a slightly more helpful picture.  With the nursing school eventually removed, and the first dorm out of the way, there'll be an unobstructed sightline between the two campuses.  That's the only reason I can see for demolishing.

 

Found:

 

 

and the story from uc:

http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.asp?id=171

Thanks mohr37.  I can't say I like the looks of those beauts.  They look worse than the current buildings to me. $40 million for that, yikes!  The story says that the Scioto remake is scheduled to start in 2006.  I wonder what happens to poor Mr. Morgens when his building is demolished.  He was a P & G exec if I recall correctly and I think he may have been a trustee of the university.  Usually one contributes at least a million dollars to get one's name put on a building.  Oh well, a million down the drain.  That would really encourage me to give UC money.  At least they kept Mrs. Emery's name on the new Emery Hall.  On the other hand, they also erased the Schmidlapp name from Schmidlapp gym when they turned it into Dieterle.  All this demonstrates a cavalier attitude towards people who were generous to the university which I can't say I find attractive or ethical.

someone then please explain why they are refered to as the "three sisters" if Morgens is in fact named after this gentleman.  is that a nickname that has just developed over the years or is cincinnatis on the wrong track?  there also seems to be an enormous amount of speculation in your claims...who's to say anybody gave anything to have their names put on these buildings?  even if they did it sure as heck is not a legitimate reason to impede progress.  i think people are pretty well aware of the fact that if you contribute money and have a buliding named after you...there is a pretty good chance that eventually it will be torn down.  but what do i know.  im from cincinnati so that makes everything about me stupid.

 

    "The Three Sisters" is just a generic reference to three buildings in a row that look the same.

 

    I also find it interesting that universities name buildings after the people who donated money for them. When they replace the building, sometimes they forget the old name, and sometimes not. McMicken Hall replaced a previous McMicken Hall, for example. Sometimes the old name is remembered by a plaque, as "formerly the site of ..."

 

    People do silly things. I know of one building where the donor would only donate money if he got to choose the architect.

 

    Sometimes I wonder if universities are in the architecture business and education is just the sideshow.

 

 

The latest plans are to begin the renovation of Sawyer Hall in Fall 2005.  This is scheduled to take 2 years and open in 2007.  Scioto Hall is schedule to start in Fall 2007.  I think you can expect a different product then the renderings that have been posted recently.  This project is very much in the design process, therefore no final renderings are available. 

I don't mind the dorm renovation designs at all.  They look a bit like hotels to me. 

 

Here are some shots of part of the medical campus.  The nursing school is just asking to go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the best view yet showing the nursing school and Morgan hall's obstructionist ways...

 

 

Random shot

 

 

 

 

 

Likewise, the view of the medical center (especially the vontz center) from the undergrad campus would be much improved.

 

 

There would be unobstructed views of the marriot and university hall as well:

 

 

In these shots, you can see how the nursing school gets in the way of the view on the right side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a small rendering of UC's Medical Sciences building:

BTW...there's an awesome Flash website for the Medical Sciences building.  Be sure to check out the image gallery!

http://msb.uc.edu/flash/msb.html

 

 

Here's a rendering of the MSB and the Eden Quadrangle from UC Horizons magazine:

 

Eden Quadrangle is the name of a new open space designed by Hargreaves Associates to complement the expanded Medical Science Building. It will contain granite seat walls and steps, a water feature, a large plaza, an outdoor amphitheater, open lawn spaces and lots of trees. "This is going to be an incredible project," says Len Thomas of the University Architect's Office. "It will create a transformation to the streetscape along Sabin Way."

 

 

Here's the story...don't think it's been posted:

 

Campus construction

Medical Sciences Building, Center for Academic Research Excellence

Projected completion date: Phase I - late 2007

 

A dazzling new look -- and some of the most technically advanced laboratory and teaching space in the nation -- will welcome visitors to the University of Cincinnati's medical campus by the end of 2007. Comprehensive renovation is already under way inside the Medical Sciences Building, and its west face soon will be linked by a nine-story glass atrium to a new Center for Academic Research Excellence (CARE).

 

MSB's redesign involves updating research labs; improving educational, administrative and library spaces; and constructing the CARE addition: a 239,000-square-foot facility with six floors of state-of-the-art laboratories for use by graduate students, faculty and researchers. The laboratories will be highly flexible to allow easy adaptation to future science and technology uses.

 

Designers paid careful attention not only to high-tech qualities, but also to "humanistic elements" that nurture innovative thinking, scholarly collaboration and scientific discovery among researchers and students. Informal gathering spaces, such as breakout and study-group rooms, a fitness center, lounges, a bookstore, food-service area and the light-filled atrium are planned to stimulate exchange of ideas. The Health Sciences Library will also undergo a significant upgrade and adopt a new multi-level layout, with open stairways and vertical connections that promote interaction.

 

"Even as we look forward to its (MSB/CARE) completion, we know that we will rapidly outgrow the capacity it provides," says Medical Center provost Jane Henney. "We are now involved in our next phase of planning -- future place and space needs of the East Campus."

 

Architects: Studio Architecture of San Francisco with HarleyEllis, Cincinnati

(The design for MSB/CARE won the 2002 American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design.)

 

Project cost, Phase I: $177 million.

Renderings from the project website....

 

Portion of MSB atrium:

 

Northwest view:

 

Southwest view, from pespective of Eden Ave.:

 

Galleria:

It's just amazing how much construction is going on there...I wonder what the total amount spent on construction around UC in this decade will end up at...

I like that the design breaks up the bulk of the building into interesting, mixed rectilinear/non rectilinear pieces.  It looks a little "harsh" to me, though.  Too much concrete, perhaps.

I am not a deconstructivist fan, but if you are going to do it, do it at a Medical Sciences Builiding!  The proposal is intense!  Fascinating to see all this construction around the hospitals.  Is there a thread on the Corryville Development group that is building the housing across MLK from this?

It's just amazing how much construction is going on there...I wonder what the total amount spent on construction around UC in this decade will end up at...

I recall a story from a month or so ago stating that the total dollars in hospital construction alone was $700 million.  With the other projects near UC, it's way over $1 billion.

 

Jimmy Skinner...if you're speaking of Stetson Square, there is a thread for that.  Just put Stetson Square in the search box up at the top of the page and it should come up.

 

 

Here are a couple of small renderings from the GBBN website.  They were larger, but too blurry at their large size:

 

 

i don't know why the majority of UC design proposals still rely on the failed the failed tower-in-the-park model.  the waste of space and dismissal of walkability are a main reason why i've come to despise the concept of 'greenspace.'

 

every single piece of 'greenspace' in or around campus is desolate day and night.

I welcome the change and rather like the new look.  The current 1950's/1960's facades are hideous!

 

 

i don't know why the majority of UC design proposals still rely on the failed the failed tower-in-the-park model.  the waste of space and dismissal of walkability are a main reason why i've come to despise the concept of 'greenspace.'

 

every single piece of 'greenspace' in or around campus is desolate day and night.

 

I couldn't agree with you more.

I think the renderings are a definite one up compared to what's currently there.  Maybe a bit too grey though.  Add some color and they'll fit in just fine.  Keep the glass elements in there too. 

 

I welcome the change and rather like the new look.  The current 1950's/1960's facades are hideous!

 

 

Here are a few pics from July that I got off of the project website.  Nothing too interesting yet, but it will be something to compare future photos to.  These are all shots of construction on the CARE expansion:

 

 

 

 

Three year renovation plan in Sawyer Hall to cost $20 Million

 

 

 

Sawyer Hall will be getting a complete renovation starting in the next few weeks. Both the interior and exterior of the building will be receiving a facelift.

 

James R. Tucker, vice president for Administrative and Business Services said in a 2003 progress report that Sawyer Hall will be updating to suite-style rooms, as opposed to the apartment-style rooms the building currently has in place.

 

In addition to the change in room design on the inside, construction crews will be applying a new exterior to Sawyer Hall as well.

 

Tucker also said in the progress report that the cost of renovating Sawyer Hall will be over $20 million dollars.

 

The plan calls for Sawyer Hall to be ready to house students again in 2008.

 

http://www.newsrecord.org/media/paper693/news/2005/10/06/News/Three.Year.Renovation.Plan.In.Sawyer.Hall.To.Cost.20.Million-1011162.shtml

$39M Sawyer Hall renovation expected to last three years

By Thomas Demeropolis

 

The University of Cincinnati's campus is about to undergo

 

a $39 million facelift. Messer Construction Company is set to begin renovation of the Sawyer Hall residence hall in November.

 

http://www.newsrecord.org/media/paper693/news/2005/10/13/News/39m-Sawyer.Hall.Renovation.Expected.To.Last.Three.Years-1019058.shtml

Just a note:  The three years comes from the gut/renovation of Scioto next to Sawyer which is expected to be done by 2008. 

Just a note:  The three years comes from the gut/renovation of Scioto next to Sawyer which is expected to be done by 2008. 

 

Where did you get this info?  The article above says:

As far as the two other "Sisters", Morgans and Scioto, Magoteaux said, "Current plans are on hold regarding the other two halls."

 

Magoteaux also said that the future for other current residence hall, such as Calhoun and Siddall Halls, are uncertain for now as well.

 

I know originally the hall closest to MLK Drive was to be torn down, with the other two being renovated.  Do you have an inside source?

From the 2/15/06 UC News Record:

 

 

Demolition set: Sawyer Hall is coming down

By: Thomas Demeropolis

Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: News

 

Sawyer Hall, a campus residence hall at the University of Cincinnati for over 40 years, is coming down.

 

Originally planned as a renovation project, the hall will now be demolished and turned into a green space by the end of the year, according to UC Spokesman Greg Hand.

 

http://www.newsrecord.org/media/paper693/news/2006/02/15/News/Demolition.Set.Sawyer.Hall.Is.Coming.Down-1613281.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.newsrecord.org

 

I'm not so sure i like this......the renderings of the two renovated dorms looked great!  Now they plan to replace one of the remodeled dorms with 'greenspace'.  The university wants to expand the student housing stock but yet they are tearing down a large dorm bldg. and replacing it with 'greenspace'.  Hopefully the university has a plan for the extended future of this part of campus.  If not then they are squandering one of the last remaining areas left to build on campus.

Strange, it does not mention the fate of the other two dorms.  The original plan was to tear down the one closest to MLK Blvd.  I wonder if they are now going to leave it and tear down only Sawyer?  These buildings were obviously all built at or around the same time, so it is not like one of them is more energy efficient than the other.

I have been wondering why more floors were coming down lately.  The funny thing is, this year there was a housing shortage and students within 50 miles were put on a waiting list until all those outside the radius had housing.

fyi,

 

in case you didn't see this, Steven Litt, art/architecture critic for the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote a nice piece about the new rec center multi-use buidling at UC

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/steven_litt/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/114025552969310.xml&coll=2

Guv,

 

I was just thinking about the same thing.  Litt seems to always be writing gushing articles about UC. 

I thought that eventually they were going to tear all three down and build dorms that resemble the Turner/Schneider complex. I know thats how it looks on their "Master plan" model in University Pavillion. Anyone know it thats true?

I'm not real sure...but i hope that is the case....the new bldgs. will fit in much better with the campus than the old fortress walls that were previously there.

 

Not to mention they will fit in contextually with the Short Vine plan to the immediate east of this part of campus.

Here is a shot I got today of Sawyer Hall coming down:

 

I also posted a bunch of other pics from UC's west campus on here:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=8367.0

I had the chance to visit the site today.  It is looking very cool, especially the atrium/connecting space.

 

looking south at the roof of the dining area:

 

west facade.  the steel bump out will have glass enclosed conference rooms, while the remainder of the spaces will be labs:

 

looking up at the connecting bridges:

 

looking north through the atrium at the "egg" and connecting bridges:

 

looking at the south curtain wall and new conference rooms cantilievered from the existing building:

 

view of the new landscaping to the northeast:

 

detail of the exterior zinc cladding panels (protective wrapping still to be removed):

 

view from one of the glass enclosed conference rooms on the west facade:

 

looking down on the atrium to the "egg":

 

looking through the atrium to the north:

Nice shots!  I love all the cool architecture UC is bringing to Cincinnati, no matter what the local architects piss and moan about all the "signature" work. It has brought a lot of good press to the city, and I am sure really helps sell the UC architecture program, which is already tops in the field.

Wow!!  You got some incredible shots from your visit...I wish I was able to peruse through construction sites and get those incredible views!

 

Its looking great...glad to see they're implementing some green space into the hospital megablock.  That has been a concrete mess for the longest time :|

Wow!!  You got some incredible shots from your visit...I wish I was able to peruse through construction sites and get those incredible views!

 

Its looking great...glad to see they're implementing some green space into the hospital megablock.  That has been a concrete mess for the longest time :|

 

Luckily, I have some friends in the right places (it helps being an architect and knowing lots of them).

 

The whole west area in front of the building will be green space, which I agree is sorely lacking.  The waterfall/water feature that was going to be there was killed due to budget issues.

This is one of those situations where when I first saw the plans, images and bludeprints, I was not at all impressed.  The actual structure, however, puts the original visuals to shame.  It is much better in person.  I enjoy parking on the 8th floor of the Eden garage everday and observing the progress.  Great building!

^ Those pics kick ass, mcmicken.  Thanks!

 

---

From UC news, 8/23/06:

 

 

UC Celebrates 'Topping Off' of $118 Million Research and Education Building

The Academic Health Center will officially commemorate the installation of the last steel beam onto the CARE/Crawley Building, signifying that the highest point of steel construction has been reached and completed.

Date: 8/23/2006

By: Jill Hafner

Phone: (513) 558-4639

 

The last major piece of structural steel will be hoisted into place on the University of Cincinnati’s Center for Academic Research Excellence (CARE)/Crawley Building during a “Topping Off” ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25.

 

The ceremony involves putting a 14-foot, 700-pound steel beam into place atop the $118 million, nine-story building. Since Monday, UC Academic Health Center faculty, staff and students have been adding their signatures to the white-painted beam to leave their mark on UC history.

 

Construction workers will put an evergreen tree on the beam before it is hoisted. According to legend, the tree can signify many things, including a job well done, life and growth of the building and good luck for the building’s occupants. The installation signifies that the highest point of steel construction has been reached and completed.

 

UC faculty, staff and students will gather for the celebration on the top level of the Eden Avenue Garage on the Academic Health Center campus. The location will provide a level view of the beam placement and an excellent vantage point over the construction site across Eden Avenue.

 

UC president Nancy Zimpher, PhD, and Jane Henney, MD, senior vice president and provost for health affairs, will offer brief remarks.

 

The CARE/Crawley Building, in conjunction with the renovation of the Medical Sciences Building (MSB), is part of the University of Cincinnati’s overall master plan. The building will add 240,000 gross square feet of laboratory and educational space to the UC Academic Health Center campus.

 

The project, which includes the CARE/Crawley Building, phase 1 of the MSB renovation and the Eden Quad landscaping, will cost $185 million and is being supported by state and federal funding, gifts and bond financing. A major benefactor of the CARE/Crawley Building was the late Edith J. Crawley of Muncie, Ind., who bequeathed $12 million to the UC Academic Health Center to bolster research into eye disease in the elderly and to support medical students and professionals dedicated to eye research.

 

The project broke ground on Oct. 5, 2004, and is expected to be completed in late fall 2007. The principal architect for the project is Harley Ellis Devereaux of Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.asp?id=4284