urbanSTL

An updated EN quad drawing:

I was just in the deans office of the engineering school the other afternoon and she was showing us the new models and illustrations that are in the lobey. It should be very nice from what I am seeing. I will try to take the time to get some good immages of all the ellevation views soon. Whey keep producing slightly more detailed versions.



I believe she said that the buildings would comprise 560,000 square feet but I could be slightly off. I know they are more than 500,000 square feet. Either way this will be an immense improvement to the engineering resources their and will help propell WashU up the rankings in engineering specificaly biomedical and energy related focuses.

^ If only they could work on spelling for EN students! This should be a great addition to the campus - let's hope they can raise the $$ for it - and sooner rather than later.

Child.



By the way, English is my second language after Math.

Absolutely Beautiful renderings, I know it will look great from far away, though as some have mentioned previously, the dearth of fine details will keep it from rising to the level of the buildings that it mimics. I'd bet that some of it is modeled after the University of Michigan, where the Engineering Arch is a gateway to their main quad. It's a great entrance to the campus from the metrolink station. Looks like it will be a while before the entire vision is complete though.



As a side note, anyone know when they'll get around to tearing down eliot hall?

Someone told me recently that it would be torn down in 2 years. This year the current departments move out, and another set of people will move in during a renovation of another building during the next academic year. Then it will be torn down. Summer after next in otherwords.



I cannot back that information up though.



In addition, I recently recieved a nice book titled "Modern Architecture in St. Louis" that had a good deal to say about the Eliot and Mudd building pair when it was built.

The new Engineering complex looks awsome! I love the new central tower.



This will really change the whole face of Wash. U. I think they're going to end up with one of the most impressive and beautiful campuses anywhere.

Fantastic drawings and renderings! Some may be unhappy with the return to classical forms, but at least traditional architecture is valued throughout the changing decades or centuries. WashU is becoming an Oxford of the midwest. The use of sightlines in the placement of buildings, towers, etc and the presence of multiple quads will give this college a timeless feeling as if it has always existed.



So, when is WashU building a campus north of Delmar for the international students or organizations?

I'm just glad they are finally going to get rid of that massive parking lot. It made Washington University look like a commuter school; like Meramec Community College or something...

clellchatman wrote:Someone told me recently that it would be torn down in 2 years. This year the current departments move out, and another set of people will move in during a renovation of another building during the next academic year. Then it will be torn down. Summer after next in otherwords.



I cannot back that information up though.



In addition, I recently recieved a nice book titled "Modern Architecture in St. Louis" that had a good deal to say about the Eliot and Mudd building pair when it was built.

Their student newspaper reported that the political science department will move into the new poli-sci/law building that's approaching completion, and then the departments currently located in Busch Hall will temporarily relocate to Eliot while Busch gets renovated.



I hope that means Eliot will be taken down sometime in 2009. I was lucky enough to have one class in there five years ago, and it felt like having a class inside a parking garage.

Poli Sci and Economics move out of Eliot and into Soc Sci/Law when the new building is finished, sometime in early summer. Then everyone from Busch moves into Eliot, and Busch gets renovated in 08-09. But Eliot won't come down when the faculty move back to Busch because they have not decided what is going to replace Eliot. I think they are a long way from having made any decisions about that.

For the past week, several trucks with drill rigs have been at work on the parking lot just east of Whitaker Hall. From the looks of it, they're doing some sort of geological or environmental testing. Now while it's possible that someone might just be really excited to see what's underneath the parking lot, I'd say there's a good chance this has something to do with preparation for phase 1 of construction.

From WU Neighbor News [newsletter] Summer 2008 [8/20/08]



Construction Panning



Engineering Campus



A new building at the corner of Forest Park Parkway and Skinker Boulevard will be the next phase in the development of an engineering campus. The building will be home to the Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering and the International Center for the Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES). Washington University is seeking a Platinum rating from LEED -- the highest rating possible.

Brookings will certainly be blocked from FPP and Skinker, but the preferable vantage point on Brookings has always been up Brookings drive.



Wash U. bought that house across Skinker and tore it down for green space to mitigate the paving of the lot where the engineering quad is going to go up. It's nice that they want to maintain green space, but with Forest Park as their front lawn, and a Metro stop right there, I wouldn't mind seeing Wash U. put up another office/retail building like Kayak's to further anchor that corner.



I believe Wash U. was buying residential property and looking to expand at the corner of Big Bend and FPP. After being stymied by threatened residents, Skinker and FPP is a logical alternative. The combination of the engineering quad and another office/retail building would really transform this corner, and encourage use of the Skinker station.

They're going to close the parking lot tomorrow (Sep 11) to start preping for construction of an engineering building at Skinker and FPP.

Washington Univ. to name building after Brauers



Washington University plans to name a new building devoted to teaching and research in energy and environmental engineering in honor of Stephen and Camilla Brauer.



A groundbreaking will be celebrated Wednesday afternoon.



Stephen Brauer, current vice chair and chair-elect of Washington University's board of trustees and chair of the School of Engineering's National Council, joined the board of trustees in 1991.



Link to the entire St. Louis Business Journals article



Link to Engineering Quad/Brauer Hall Construction Webcam