Warms my heart.
Context Schmontext.
Continuing the dialogue from the SmithGroupJJR Perspectives Panel
Bill Katz speaking at SmithGroupJJR’s panel discussion titled “Is Campus Context More than Skin Deep?”
I was recently part of a panel discussion at SmithGroupJJR’s Design Perspectives series titled “Is Campus Context More than Skin Deep?”, where we delved into the issues surrounding the definition of a campus and the attributes that support academic, corporate, and technology environments. My original suggested title, “Context, Schmontext”, didn’t fly, but it did reveal my clear bias on the subject. The notion that campus buildings need to have an aesthetic similar to the popular 1970s children’s clothing line, Garanimals, where everything matches with interchangeable tops and bottoms, has led to some interestingly written design guidelines.
There is something nostalgic about walking through a campus like the University of Virginia. However, when you take a look at the more recent additions on campuses with a “protected” aesthetic, one can clearly see where the control of the campus guidelines has led the architect astray. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe that buildings must respond to their context whether they are part of a campus, complex, or neighborhood. I also believe that buildings should look like they were built during their time of construction and reveal the program happening within.
University of Virginia (Image Credit)
Discussions on context tend to always lead to the notion of timeless design. Yes, every pitch we do as architects as well as a client’s stated goals, include the idea of a timeless design, but someone needs to state the obvious – there is no guarantee that the provided design will be timeless. This is one of the exciting parts of the architectural environment. Every building, good or bad, represents an artifact from the time it was conceived and constructed. We can hope that time will be kind to our designs in the long run.
In a day when great mid-century buildings are threatened across the country, we need to pause and really think about how a building represents an important moment in our architectural history as well as how it supports the idea of a campus beyond superficial aesthetic. Just watch what is happening to William Pereira’s campus vision at University of California, Irvine. Instead of preserving the original brutal concrete sculptural buildings that create a cohesive campus vision, the university has allowed these buildings to be stripped and refaced with forgettable facades.
Ultimately, a campus is defined by much more than bookmatched buildings—whether or not the base campus aesthetic is defined by its dormer windows on tile roofs or by brutal concrete brise-soleil fins. Once a campus has enough of the defining character, should we consider throwing out the guidelines and see what happens?
Bill Katz, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a Design Principal at SmithGroupJJR’s San Francisco office. He focuses on the Higher Education and Science & Technology markets.
Kiosk Design Wins Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation!
Very proud of this important civic infill project. I designed the kiosks at Perkins + Will. Project was documented and completed by TEF.
Futuristic SF designs that never happened (And a few that did)
SGJJR Perspectives: Is Campus Context More than Skin Deep?
An interesting dialogue.
On November 7, 2016, SmithGroupJJR’s San Francisco office presented Perspectives: Is Campus Context More than Skin Deep? The lively forum gathered a diverse panel of thought leaders representing the fields of education, technology, development, urban planning and architecture. The panelists were Amy Neches, partner at TMG; Benjamin Grant, urban design policy director at SPUR; Zach Pozner, director of architecture and campus planner at Stanford University; Robin Bass, REWS environment design & operations lead at Google; and Bill Katz, design principal at SmithGroupJJR. Topics explored included the effects of stringent guidelines on campus design and whether they limit creativity or instead serve to preserve tradition and create a sense of place.
Check it out here (short version):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIi_zFqacR0
Check it out here (long version):
Seating is Believing
Rethinking the Corporate Campus
New Physical Sciences Building at Chico State
A short campus newspaper article on the new Physical Sciences Building at Chico State University
http://theorion.com/61672/news/a-new-physical-science-building-set-to-be-built-soon/
Signs of the Times: 13 Architectural Signage Designs
Love integrated signage graphics.
http://weburbanist.com/2011/05/13/signs-of-the-times-13-architectural-signage-designs/
Is Campus Context More than Skin Deep?
I'll be on this panel this evening to discuss what defines campus context and how buildings and guidelines can address the issue.
SUSTAINABLE BY DESIGN
B35: A model for future campus development
A great article by the client.
Sleep Box
Stanford - Redwood City
In 2009 I worked closely with Stanford University to create a masterplan vision and design guidelines for their new Redwood City Campus. In 2016, the project is moving closer to a built reality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKY0QdSElgc&feature=youtu.be
How Silicon Valley became Silicon Valley...
SLC Terminal Redevelopment Progress Gallery
Demo and construction is underway for the new Salt Lake City Airport.
Coffee, Juice, Beer, Chocolates + Baked Goods Offered in the Ferry Building’s New Arcade Row
My Book Finally "Released": Art & Object - 41 Mallard Drive
This book is a comprehensive documentation of a collection of Art, Object and Interior Design curated and designed by Myrna Katz.
Want to buy a copy? Here is a link:
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/6427677/9aca2fcf338216c0f0bf8b1b6ababbb3bd91bb29
The Historic Midcentury Modernist Motels of the New Jersey Coast
SmithGroupJJR hires Bill Katz at San Francisco office
Here's a press release about my new role: