Ideas for Convocation Center (Long!!)
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 1:29 pm
OK-We've already done this many times but I'd like to do it again and float some "wild" ideas.
Primary Strategy
1-First and foremost, make the Center "student friendly". This includes primary seating and freedom for standing, cheering, etc. (More about this later). What we want is a new "House that Roars
2-Make the Center "consumer friendly" overall. If cost requirements mean we have to reduce seating capacity to achieve this so be it. This means things like aesthetics, comfort, flexibility, convenience, and maximum entertainment. It would include things like parking convenience. Also lots of restrooms easily available, moreover "nice" restrooms in terms of appearance and facilities. It would also mean lots of concession areas with lots of choices. And a super sound system, scoreboards, and video boards.
3-As a Convocation Center, maximum use should be a priority, especially for students. The goal is to have students feel a sense of "ownership" and to be in the Center as often as possible for hoops and other athletic events, concerts, commencements, Presidents Day, job fairs, voting during elections, dance marathons, etc., etc., etc.
4-We have to remember that this Center is what we will have (with possible renovations) for another half century.
Some Design Issues
1-Capacity and Aesthetics-Maybe 8,000 for capacity, but aesthetics is crucial. And as I said above, if costs require that we sacrifice capacity for student and overall consumer friendliness, so be it. We want people to come into the Center, use it, and say "Wow!!". I know that some universities have built Centers, e.g., Miami, where lots of people feel unsatisfactory "multi-use accomodations" have been made. I'm guessing that there have to be real design challenges here.
2-I'm hoping that if there is an initial 6,000 to 8,000 capacity, the architecture will enable future renovations for increasing capacity, if needed, to perhaps 10,000 and yet the initial design won't look "cheap" or "provisional". Can't we make use of curtains, moveable walls, etc. for different uses to maximize good seating, convenience, and aesthetics?
Some Perhaps "Wild" Ideas"
1-Part of the "student friendly" design for hoops and other athletic events would be to have a 10-15 rows or so of lower level seating for students at least on one and maybe both sides. There would be a slight separation above this so students could stand, etc. without preventing fans above them to enjoy the game.. Also, on the South end, have lower level seating for the pep band, Sic Sic, Anderson Animals, etc. Upper level seating, if needed, could also be for students. Underneath the seating area would be basketball offices, meeting rooms, etc.
2-Perhaps the initial Center would have minimal lower level seating on the North end, but underneath the seating and remaining structure would be a new Campus Security Center. Part of the information/electronic technology could be shared with "Press Row" and other Center events, e.g. concerts. This would enable the University to request state/federal funds for new Campus Security facilities and apply them to building the Center.
3-Underneath the East side of the Center, along with restrooms and concession areas, would be facilities for a University Cooking Center that could be used for Cooking classes and also be used to prepare concessions for Center events and perhaps for hockey and football games. Since these Cooking facilities would be used a majority of the time for classes, once again the University could request public funding. Underneath the West side along with restrooms and concessions would be locker rooms for both home and visiting teams.
4-Critics of BG architecture talk about how diverse and bland it is. I was happy to see how the Sebo Center will be "unconventional" for athletic buildings. I'm hoping a new Convocation Center will continue this trend both inside and outside. An additional move in this direction, and this could be done slowly and piece by piece, would be to have a park and sports sculpture garden on the West side grounds of the Center. There could be gardens, sports sculptures, picnic grounds, and other area. This would provide an additional entertainment venue for students and visitors coming to the Center.
OK-I'm done--for now.
GO BG!!!
Primary Strategy
1-First and foremost, make the Center "student friendly". This includes primary seating and freedom for standing, cheering, etc. (More about this later). What we want is a new "House that Roars
2-Make the Center "consumer friendly" overall. If cost requirements mean we have to reduce seating capacity to achieve this so be it. This means things like aesthetics, comfort, flexibility, convenience, and maximum entertainment. It would include things like parking convenience. Also lots of restrooms easily available, moreover "nice" restrooms in terms of appearance and facilities. It would also mean lots of concession areas with lots of choices. And a super sound system, scoreboards, and video boards.
3-As a Convocation Center, maximum use should be a priority, especially for students. The goal is to have students feel a sense of "ownership" and to be in the Center as often as possible for hoops and other athletic events, concerts, commencements, Presidents Day, job fairs, voting during elections, dance marathons, etc., etc., etc.
4-We have to remember that this Center is what we will have (with possible renovations) for another half century.
Some Design Issues
1-Capacity and Aesthetics-Maybe 8,000 for capacity, but aesthetics is crucial. And as I said above, if costs require that we sacrifice capacity for student and overall consumer friendliness, so be it. We want people to come into the Center, use it, and say "Wow!!". I know that some universities have built Centers, e.g., Miami, where lots of people feel unsatisfactory "multi-use accomodations" have been made. I'm guessing that there have to be real design challenges here.
2-I'm hoping that if there is an initial 6,000 to 8,000 capacity, the architecture will enable future renovations for increasing capacity, if needed, to perhaps 10,000 and yet the initial design won't look "cheap" or "provisional". Can't we make use of curtains, moveable walls, etc. for different uses to maximize good seating, convenience, and aesthetics?
Some Perhaps "Wild" Ideas"
1-Part of the "student friendly" design for hoops and other athletic events would be to have a 10-15 rows or so of lower level seating for students at least on one and maybe both sides. There would be a slight separation above this so students could stand, etc. without preventing fans above them to enjoy the game.. Also, on the South end, have lower level seating for the pep band, Sic Sic, Anderson Animals, etc. Upper level seating, if needed, could also be for students. Underneath the seating area would be basketball offices, meeting rooms, etc.
2-Perhaps the initial Center would have minimal lower level seating on the North end, but underneath the seating and remaining structure would be a new Campus Security Center. Part of the information/electronic technology could be shared with "Press Row" and other Center events, e.g. concerts. This would enable the University to request state/federal funds for new Campus Security facilities and apply them to building the Center.
3-Underneath the East side of the Center, along with restrooms and concession areas, would be facilities for a University Cooking Center that could be used for Cooking classes and also be used to prepare concessions for Center events and perhaps for hockey and football games. Since these Cooking facilities would be used a majority of the time for classes, once again the University could request public funding. Underneath the West side along with restrooms and concessions would be locker rooms for both home and visiting teams.
4-Critics of BG architecture talk about how diverse and bland it is. I was happy to see how the Sebo Center will be "unconventional" for athletic buildings. I'm hoping a new Convocation Center will continue this trend both inside and outside. An additional move in this direction, and this could be done slowly and piece by piece, would be to have a park and sports sculpture garden on the West side grounds of the Center. There could be gardens, sports sculptures, picnic grounds, and other area. This would provide an additional entertainment venue for students and visitors coming to the Center.
OK-I'm done--for now.
GO BG!!!
