Science center plans change

Budget increased to allow for more planning

The Board of Trustees approved an expanded budget for the planning of the Science Center at their March meeting. The budget for planning of the science center was increased from $185,000 to $275,000 brining the total architectural choice budget to $500,000. The planning architect presented a new open-quad plan for the building which was also approved.

The conceptual design was by Payette Associates out of Boston. The program architecture was primarily for cost and size estimates. "The conceptual design won't have a bearing on the actual design," Bob Scheren, director of facilities, planning and construction said.

"We are now in the process of selecting an architect of record for the project," Scheren said.

The college solicited credentials from architectural firms who were interested in the project. All 16 firms contacted replied with statements of qualifications. "We're looking at the world's most notable American architects," Scheren said.

The qualifications will be reviewed in the next two weeks by the President, the architectural review committee and the science facilities committee. Following that review, about five firms will be invited to be interviewed on campus and view the site.

Professor of Chemistry Terry Carlton, who is the Chemistry department's representative on the science facilities committee, said the new plan "looks very attractive, very functional," and said he thinks it will add a lot to that end of campus.

The committees are looking at staff credentials such as architectural degrees, experience and licenses as well as the credentials of the consultants they might hire. Also, their experiences with other colleges and academic institutions will play a role in the committees' decision.

"We're looking at for the compatibility of [the architect's] work with the Oberlin ethos," Scheren said.

None of the architects have designed for Oberlin before, but all have prior experience in science facility design, Scheren said.

President of the College Nancy Dye said the school hopes to have the architect selected by the end of the academic year.

The conceptual designs have been changing over the last few months of design. The current design includes the open-quad concept. "It's a much nicer configuration," Dye said on the new plan.

The designs are part of the ongoing programming phase which focuses on what the needs of the users are such as general space requirements.

The architects being considered are very highly revered, Scheren said. These signature architects' portfolios are books published on their work. One of the architects designed a home for Bill Gates, and others have equally as famous clientele.

Scheren said he cannot speculate on what the design time for the center will be.

Science sketches: The preliminary conceptual plans for the Science center include a different configuration than that which was previously envisioned. Now the plans call for an "open quad." The Board of Trustees approved additional funds for more planning in the project, which is projected to cost the College $40 million in the long-run. (picture courtesy of The Department of Plan and Construction)