This week for our blog post we had to take the 10 principle ideas covered in class (space, power, experience, principles, precedent, site, order, scale, technology, and surface) and apply them to things on UNC-Greensboro campus. Then hypothesize how each of these ideas has been expressed in material form around campus.
Space: When I think of space being used on UNCG campus I think of how the campus is well spread out. There are the dorms at one end of campus and then most of educational buildings and offices at the other end with the EUC and the Jackson Library right in the center because that is where a lot of people gather. All of the buildings on campus are spaced out enough so that there is enough space between the buildings for people to get around campus. There is space for roads for traffic going through campus, sidewalks, and then space for leisurely areas such as parks and sitting areas scattered around campus. Also due to the increasing number of students coming to this university the campus is being expanded to take up even more space to accommodate for all the new students.
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Campus map
Image from: http://firstcard.uncg.edu/locations.html |
Power: The taller the buildings in the Xianyang palace the more important that meant they were. So it comes as no surprise that that idea is still used today. The tallest building on campus is the library tower and it literally towers over the buildings surrounding it. The library is also the center point on campus and between that and the EUC are at the heart of this school. Not to mention that with the library's height and bright white exterior it can be really hard to miss and for someone knew could be used to help show them the way.
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| Jackson Library |
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| Jackson Library Tower |
Experience: On a college campus there are tons of experiences and UNCG is no different. There are the experiences of being away from home for the first time, living in a dorm, having a roommate, setting your own schedule, and so much more.
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UNCG Basketball Game
Image from: http://www.uncg.edu/cha/chancellor_report/2009a/athletics.html |
Principles: The majority of the buildings on campus are designed about the same way. Most of them are made of simple solid brick exteriors. Almost none of the buildings on campus have any kind of external decoration with the exception of the gothic style Foust building. Plus a large portion of the buildings on campus have columns flanking the front entrance with large pediments atop them.
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| Alumni House |
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| Stone Building |
Precedent: Since most universities are literally a living and learning community all of the parts have to work together to make sure the students needs are met. At this university there is a pretty distinct area where each of the students needs are met. There is the EUC and the cafeteria for getting food and socializing then there is the library, academic buildings, and classrooms for soaking up knowledge. There is also the health center and plenty of outdoor areas to exercise and stay fit. Last but not least, for the students that live on campus there are the dorms where students can sleep, eat, relax, hang out, study, or anything else they want to do.
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Campus map
Image from: http://www.uncg.edu/tlc/contacts/directions.html |
Site: UNC-Greensboro campus is just a short distance from downtown Greensboro. The campus started out pretty small when it was just a woman's college but now they have had to expand the area that the university sits on quite a lot to accommodate for remodeling buildings and a higher student population.
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Original map of UNCG when it was a woman's college
Image from: http://eia.uncg.edu/bio/facilities/peabody%20park/history.html |
Order: On UNC-Greensboro's campus there seems to be a place for everything. The EUC and the Dining hall are for eating, hanging out, or stocking up on supplies. Then there is the library for studying your heart out, writing papers, or finding a good book to read for fun if you can find the time. Then the dorms are for some of all of the above. With the academic buildings and offices there is even more organization. Majors are separated into different departments and different departments are in different buildings. Some of the most specific majors even have a building all or partly to themselves such as nursing, music, interior architecture, and art. Everything on campus just seems to fit into its own place here at UNCG.
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| Music Building |
Scale: The campus is here is very spread out and yet it does not take long to get from point A to point B whether you are walking, biking, skateboarding, or driving. The sidewalks weaving around each of the buildings makes it much easier to get where you are going faster despite the size of the campus.
Technology: Technology is a big part on college campuses today. There are computers, ipods, cell phones, tvs, projectors, and so much more that are all being improved upon all the time. The school is constantly trying to update with the newest and most affordable technology to help students learn. These advancements can also be seen by looking at the buildings from, Foust, the oldest building on campus to the new dorm on Spring Garden Street, which is being built right now. The older buildings on campus such as the quad and Foust were originally made of solid bricks. However, now with technological advancements the newer buildings on campus such as the Gatewood Studio Arts building and the new dorm that is currently being built are made mostly of steel and are much more modern looking pieces of architecture.
Surface: Brick seems to be the primary surface covering around campus. There are brick walls, brick sidewalks, buildings made of brick, and even college avenue which is composed mostly of bricks.
