Division of the Arts Charrette, December 7, 2000

 

The following report was prepared by the Architect and will be assumed to be correct unless written exceptions are received within two weeks of publication date.

 

 

     Meeting                                                                                         Report 

          Date:     7 December 2000                                                          Date:  12 December 2000

   Location:      German Culture Room, Long Library          

      Project:     Wells College Academic Functional Space Programming    

                       

Project No:     98048F           

     Subject:      Academic Functional Space Programming with the Division of Arts

 

 

Attendees:      Wells College                            Ellen Hall, Dean of the College

                                                                        Nan DeBello, Acting Associate Dean

                                                                        Rosemary Welsh, Associate Professor of Art History

                                                                        Jeanne Goddard, Associate Professor of Dance

                                                                        Nancy Gilbertson, Lecturer in Music

                                                                        Crawford Thoburn, Professor of Music

                                                                        Theodore Lossowski, Associate Professor of Fine Arts

                                                                        Bill Roberts, Professor of Art

                                                                        Susan G. Sandman, Professor of Music

 

                        HOLT Architects                      Grace Chiang

                                                                        Tina Lacey

 

Discussion:

1.      Functional space programming is a translation of vision, pedagogy, and curriculum into facility need.

 

2.      Space programming must address the issues of:

a.        How much space should be provided.

b.      How many different types of spaces should be provided.

c.       How many students and faculty need to be accommodated.

d.      What types of functions need to be accommodated.

 

3.      G. Chiang detailed the functional space programming process.  The purpose of functional space programming is to identify a list of spaces with square footage assignments.  The goal of the process is to develop a list of spaces with space size assignments and to determine the best functional relationships between different areas of study.  The process will include various means of gathering information and data as described in the Academic Functional Space Programming handout (attached).  Space sizes will be determined by assessing the use and the number of occupants or stations required in the space.  Nationally recognized benchmark standards such as SUNY space standards, MITWICHE space standards and others will also be consulted.  This first phase of academic functional space programming will result in a document which records a list of spaces which are arrived at by the consensus of this group along with a verbal description of each space.  In the next phase of programming more detailed testing of the spaces will result with prototype space layouts.

 

4.      B. Roberts asked whether the proposed removal of a building reflected on any sort of proposal to eliminate the program(s) housed in the building.  What is the future of art at Wells?  E. Hall and G. Chiang responded that it is absolutely the intent that the arts remain a core and important part of the Well curriculum.  This process is to help insure that better facilities be planned for all.  It was pointed out that this programming process would not be necessary the intention were to eliminate the programs.

 

5.      Discussed the issue of future programs and needs and how to account for future space requirements?   N. DeBello responded that evaluation of current program curriculum and space needs must occur simultaneously to make judgments for the future curriculum.

 

6.      The question of utilization was raised and it was pointed out that it is unrealistic to assume that specialty spaces such as those which serve the arts could achieve as a high a utilization rate as more general use spaces.  G. Chiang agreed that specialized spaces are assumed to be not as well utilized as other curriculum space but it is the goal of a building project to make the best utilization a space by creating environments that are as flexible and sharable as possible.   

 

7.      J. Goddard commented that during this process consideration must be taken in regard to spaces that are not formally used for classes but are utilized throughout the day as project and informal teaching areas.

 

8.      It was agreed that class scheduling could be improved to allow for better utilization.

 

9.      A suggestion was made to provide space for “casual” users.  Facility space should be considered to accommodate student organizations and non-majors that frequently utilize Art Department space and supplies.  It was suggested that a place to make banners, darkroom, music practice room and like spaces could be appropriately incorporated in space planning for the student union.

 

10.  E. Hall comments that a goal of the master plan is creating better adjacencies.  Faculty should be giving consideration to adjacent relationships.

 

11.  B. Roberts commented that the design, the character, the architecture and ample space are equally important in either renovation or new building.  The SUNY spaces he has seen lack character and are aesthetically very bad.   G. Chiang clarified that the use of SUNY space standards is for space size only, not for space design or character.

 

12.  G. Chiang requested suggestions concerning solicitation of student input, faculty suggested the following groups for solicitation:

a.       Sr.’s and Art Majors

b.      Recent Alumni

c.       Invite Sr.’s to gather information from peers.

d.      Student Groups

i.           Henry’s VIII

ii.         A Capella

iii.       Kastalia

e.      Piano Students

f.        Wells Consort

g.      It was suggested that faculty be kept separate from the student input process.

 

13.  J. Goddard offered to forward a copy the report Future of Dance that details student input concerning their opinions of where dance as Wells is headed in the future.

14.  G. Chiang reminded faculty that completed space data sheets, for each required current and future space, provide much of the base data for the academic functional space programming assessment.  Erna Coon can provide blank forms and will forward completed forms to HOLT. 

 

15.  A suggestion was made that if and when a faculty administrative support position is realized that person should be located near the front door and also serve a reception function.

 

The next round of meetings will be arranged by field of study: visual arts, music and dance/theater.  E. Coon will schedule these meetings for the beginning of the Spring Semester. 

 

Post meeting note: Please note examples of general classroom have been forwarded separately.  Also note directions for assessing current and future needs for general classroom spaces.  Please provide this information to HOLT before the next round of meetings.  E. Coon will forward all materials submitted to HOLT.

 

Prepared by,

 

HOLT ARCHITECTS, P.C.

 

 

Tina Lacey

 

 

Cc: Attendees, L. Ryerson, J. Woolford

 

 

 

 


Academic Functional Space Programming

Wells College

 

Goals and Process

 

1.   Goals of Program Study

a.       Establish ideal space program.

b.       Discuss current and projected space needs.

i.         Appropriate relationships between program areas/divisions/areas of study.

 

2.       Space Needs Programming

a.       Programming charrettes.

b.       Faculty and staff develop background/base information for space programs.

i.         Define and describe types of spaces needed to conduct current and future academic programs.

(1)    Define current space use issues.

(2)    Describe current space allocation.

(3)    Identify needed space allocation.

ii.       Describe activities of each academic program.

iii.      Consider shared common use spaces to maximize interdisciplinary use.

iv.     Discuss the impact of emerging technologies, changes in pedagogy and curriculum.

(1)    Computer technologies, how can technology support curriculum.

(2)    Distance learning.

(3)    Multi-disciplinary curriculums.

v.       Determine critical relationships between spaces.

c.       Solicit input from students.

i.         Define their needs

ii.       Determine constituency to include.

d.       Documentation.

 

3.       Space Needs Tabulations

a.       Develop preliminary space programs and relationship diagrams based upon programming charrettes and space data sheets collected.

i.         Compare space needs to benchmark standards.

ii.       Develop idealized program.

iii.      Prioritize program.

iv.     Develop space relationship diagrams.

b.       College review of preliminary programs.

 

4.       Match Programs with Facilities

a.       Assess required program adjacencies.

b.       Develop alternatives for program locations

c.       Preliminary testing of programs against space available in proposed facilities.

d.       Formulate recommendations.

 

 

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