ENVS building site chosen

Planners of the new Environmental Studies Center recommended on Sunday that the center will be built on a site south of Harkness. This site was chosen over a site opposite Wilder, on Woodland Avenue.

The decision was made at an environmental charette which also addressed topics such as project goals and programs for the new center which is slated for completion in 1998.

Charette is an architectural term that refers to an intensive planning session at which a group of potential users begin to develop a collective plan for the space.

An important factor in choosing the Harkness site was the lack of large shadows, such as the ones created by Wilder, which would obsruct solar energy. Another factor was highway 511. Planners were worried about traffic noise and the effects of air pollution.

Project organizers hope that the center's central placement south of Harkness will draw people from the other academic buildings. Project Organizer Brad Masi OC'93 said, "The placement will help pull together different parts of the campus." A problem with the Woodland site was that it was so close to Kettering. There were fears that this would detract from the interdisciplinary nature of the project.

The charette adopted four project goals. These goals were built around the work of eight charettes held last semester. The goals are to provide a model for ecological design, to foster community interaction, to facilitate integrative education and to create synergies.

The project goals stress the charette participants' belief in using the latest environmental technologies and materials. They also emphasize a belief in creating contacts with other environmental groups and being accessible to both the Oberlin community and the larger Ohio community.

A program was also adopted at the charette. In architectural terms, a program is a description of desired spaces. This program will be given to architect William McDonough.

Among the rooms is a large atrium, a study area and a small auditorium. The program also contains plans for a kitchen which will foster a communal atmosphere and provide an area for friendly discussion and home-grown meals.

The program contains specifications for work space. This space is designed to encourage interactive learning and group work. Masi said, "We would like the work space to be active space."

The program will be given to McDonough, who will attempt to incorporate the ideas into draft blueprints. There will be continued dialogue about necessary changes in the program between the committee and the architects.

There were around 40 people at the charette. The people in attendance ranged from grass-roots environmental organizations to members of the College community.

The charette's recommendations must be approved by the Board of Trustees, but according to Masi the charette's report has, "very heavy weight."