91视频

An abandoned building in the center of ‘s campus will be brought back to life with the help of .

The building, which was constructed as a gymnasium in 1927 and became a student union before it was vacated in 2006, will become the Samuelson Communication and Technology Center 鈥� a $38 million facility that will house multiple school departments.

鈥淲e’re basically taking this abandoned structure and making it a center for everyone,鈥� said Jonathan Bolch, project manager for YGH Architecture. 鈥淚t’s really going to change the core of the campus.鈥�

The project will take place in two phases: The existing building’s northern part will be renovated for the school’s information technology services department, and the southern part will be demolished and replaced with a two-story addition. The latter portion will hold the school’s journalism department and office space.

The northern part in many ways will suit the ITS department well. For example, the building’s game room has a lowered floor that is the exact depth needed to accommodate a new data center. Former dining and theater space will be reconfigured to house operations and administrative offices. The design of the renovation will open the building’s brick walls and roof to let in more daylight.

The two-story addition will hold classrooms, study areas and an atrium space. The northeast corner will be anchored by a 150-seat theater classroom, which will have high-definition media projection.

One of the key design goals, according to Bolch, was to develop an exterior that would result in the structure being viewed as a single, unified building rather than an old building with a modern addition. Red brick, which is featured on the existing building, will be used for the addition.

鈥淲e wanted it to be a real 21st century building that states its own importance, but doesn’t overstate it,鈥� Bolch said.

The 130,000-square-foot building will be a campus crossroads, Bolch said, and provide a place for students to study and socialize.

Construction is expected to start in summer 2013 and finish in 2016. However, the school still needs to secure funding from the state. If money is not appropriated, the project could be broken into two phases.

Schreiber Starling and Lane, based in Seattle, is the prime architect; YGH Architecture is the associate.

鈥淥n the Boards鈥� is a weekly feature that spotlights local firms’ best design work. Submissions from architectural and engineering firms are encouraged. Please call 503-802-7240 or email [email protected].