Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/59979
The new building for the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business provides a striking architectural element for the campus, a home for all classes and activities of the business school, and a place where all students on campus are welcome. The University of Chicago GSB's winter garden is both a beautiful architectural feature and one of many gathering places for students. B.FEINKN0PF and what might be in it. With that and perhaps a profession- al rendering or model, the dean and development staff can begin to raise funds, says Tattoni. At Illinois State, a lead gift from State Farm Insurance helped get the whole project going. After the design was in place, school officials approached other major benefactors to ask for help with specific parts of the project. For instance, Caterpillar Inc. was asked to donate money to upgrade the technology, says Christner. "With donors like Caterpillar, we said, 'Here's where the money could be applied. Here's where you couldmake a difference.'"He adds that those who donated significant amounts had auditoriums, suites, and other spaces named after them, which further strengthened the relationship between school and stakeholders. The Bottom Line All the effort and expense of constructing a new building have been worth it for these schools. For instance, everyone at Illinois State is delighted by the new environment, says Christner. "The faculty are thrilled with the technology. The students love the fact that they're treated like adults in a pro- fessional environment. We have fantastic spaces for students to sit and study—and they're full. The fact that students can stay in the building to study and work has created one of the biggest changes in culture." Nonetheless, the process isn't easy, and those who have been through it offer key pieces of advice to other adminis- trators considering a new facility: 36 BizEd NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 Involve everyone in the discussion. "Work with the staff, ask about their expectations for the new building, and understand their five-year plans, because it will take that long to get the building up," says Paul of the Chicago GSB. "The more peo- ple you can bring into the planning process and themore they have a vested interest, themore successful the project will be." Nonetheless, be prepared tomake some hard decisions. "I listen to all the opinions and ideas, but at some point I have to take a strong position and say what I think is right," says Wyatt of Robert A.M. Stern Architects. Realize that not every square foot is "usable space." Says Ziebarth, "Architects talk about nonassignable space, which would include technical rooms, corridors, and walls. Business schools are about 60 percent to 65 percent usable space. The rest goes to support the building." Design for the future. "Even if you don't have a strategy for growth right now, look at the long term," urges Christner. "Our graduate assistant lounge could, for minimal expense, become a department office.We played with the numbers of faculty offices we were allowed and built some for graduate assistants, knowing we could turn theminto faculty offices in the future." As always, the overarching lesson is: Think ahead. Know how much you can afford, what you want your building to say about your school, and what you want it to offer to stake- holders. A building completed in 2005 could still be in use in 2105—an enduring legacy to the partnership among educa- tion, architecture, and business.s z