Collegiate Quadrangle on campus

[Cypow]

If the university were to build another residential space on campus, likely around the time that towers is torn down, who would be interested in seeing a classic collegiate-style quadrangle on campus?

Plausible locations: the old towers site, or the intramural fields east of MWL.

East of MWL would make for an excellent entrance to the university, a true sign that you are now on campus. Moreover, much of the intramural fields could still be retained given the ample amount of space.

Or, the towers site provides a perfectly shaped plot of land, and it could help to create a true campus feel even when you aren't on central campus.

Architectural style could be Collegiate Gothic, Colonial, or something more in-line with the rest of campus architecture. Though ISU does have quite a variety of architecture and any style could be made to work.

A collegiate quad could add to the historic feel that is lacking on some parts of campus. It would also make the area feel more like a true university town, a feeling that other towns in Iowa (won't name names) simply don't evoke.

 

[StClone]

Quad yes Parallelogram no! Too many weird things happen in Iowa's other Parallelogram (not to mention the College of Design Building). If you haven't heard, which amazes me! http://www.thirdeyeoveriowa.com/vol3/vol3No8/Putnam.html

 

[CyCrazy]

The university just spent a ton of money to redo the fields east of MWL, no way they will just tear that up.

 

[BCClone]

They just closed oak/elm. Why would they build more housing?

 

[JM4CY]

One time in maple I drunkenly walked into a “quad” happening in my room.

 

[CloneGuy8]

One time in maple I drunkenly walked into a “quad” happening in my room.

 

[Cypow]

They just closed oak/elm. Why would they build more housing?

Towers are ancient, and will likely have to go in the next decade.

Not to mention, MWL is showing its age as well, and is quite an eye sore upon entering campus from the east.

The Quad could be built in MWL's current location. It's a great opportunity to replace boring (and ugly) 60s architecture with something more elegant.

 

[derpyherky]

They just closed oak/elm. Why would they build more housing?

Bingo, plus Goeffrey hall is rarely at capacity.

Oak-Elm will not be completely closed this fall, ISU residence is staging and setting up to have all of the positive covid-19 cases quarantine in Oak-Elm.

 

[BCClone]

Bingo, plus Goeffrey hall is rarely at capacity.

Oak-Elm will not be completely closed this fall, ISU residence is staging and setting up to have all of the positive covid-19 cases quarantine in Oak-Elm.

I wondered if that is where they would put them.

 

[Cypow]

Bingo, plus Goeffrey hall is rarely at capacity.

I completely agree on the capacity. But eventually university enrollments will come down a bit and stabilize, and then you can think more long-term about the architecture for new dorms replacing MWL and Towers (if towers even gets a replacement, the university may not need the capacity).

If you look back, MWL and Towers were not intended to be a real part of the university's architectural scheme. They were thrown up quickly to house lots of students as enrollments were rising in the 60s and 70s. Hence the bleak and characterless look of the buildings.

Once MWL comes down, a building with real architectural and - eventually - historical value can serve as a "gateway" to campus from the east.

Lots of opportunity to make a beautiful, ivy-covered collegiate building that also has all the amenities of a modern student dorm.

 

[JM4CY]

One time in maple I drunkenly walked into a “quad” happening in my room.

There was great effort given by all parties involved. It looked like everyone was winning. Except the guy in the middle sleeping.

 

[ISUAgronomist]

I enjoy the JTS/Hilton wildass improvement threads more...

 

[BCClone]

There was great effort given by all parties involved. It looked like everyone was winning. Except the guy in the middle sleeping.

Photos or I don’t believe you.

Or if you are saying it was a complete sausage fest, then no thanks.

 

[JM4CY]

Photos or I don’t believe you.

I could draw you a picture?

 

[CtownCyclone]

Bingo, plus Goeffrey hall is rarely at capacity.

Oak-Elm will not be completely closed this fall, ISU residence is staging and setting up to have all of the positive covid-19 cases quarantine in Oak-Elm.

Oh sure, put them in the haunted dorm...

 

[SCNCY]

I could draw you a picture?

Will said picture be the center piece of the German flag in the Olympics game?

 

[qwerty]

Towers are ancient, and will likely have to go in the next decade.

Not to mention, MWL is showing its age as well, and is quite an eye sore upon entering campus from the east.

The Quad could be built in MWL's current location. It's a great opportunity to replace boring (and ugly) 60s architecture with something more elegant.

What does that make people that are older than the Towers? Asking for a friend.

 

[JM4CY]

Will said picture be the center piece of the German flag in the Olympics game?

Probably could. at times it resembled something like this

 

[Dopey]

COVID will make online learning & acceptance explode for the long term, not to mention budgets to squeeze. More on campus housing won't be a thing for a while.

Just my uninformed opinion.

 

[BCClone]

Oh sure, put them in the haunted dorm...

Think the ghosts follow social distancing?