GMU Goes (the color) Green
27 04 2010Last we checked in on the expansion of the GMU Virginia Square Campus there wasn’t much more than a typical looking concrete structure. However now that the greenish hued exterior is going up, we have a good idea of how the building is going to look and we must say we are HUGE fans!
The most amazing part of the architectural design? It wasn’t done by some big name firm… GMU has handled all the design, architecture work, and site management… who knew that a University could also be a developer! What do you think?
Very nice! Usually not a fan of the modernista, but this one seems to set just the right tone. I like the way the lower glass “piece” picks off the neighbor’s scale. Also love the skyline. I hate to say it, but you don’t need starchitects to pull this off, especially with abstract compositions. I hope the detailing is up to snuff.
What do I think? I think the writer should research before writing, at least before writing something this absurd. GMU handled the design? Smith Group was the designer and is credited on the Founders Hall website. Smith Group is one of the largest Architecture firms in the country, and by the way, an excellent design firm. This design is very good, much better than the photo indicates and much better than the other SOM buildings that adjoin it.
Actually HFB, the design and construction was all managaged by GMU, and on top of that, the architecture work was done entirely by people associated with GMU (some of whom are affiliated with Smith Group)
Will be hated a mocked in 5 years after this fad passes.
So are we to believe that a Smith Group did not design the project? Should GMU change the attribution on their website that describes the project?
Most all universities have facilities planning departments that manage the design and construction processes. The article’s writer wrote ” The most amazing part of the architectural design? It wasn’t done by some big name firm… GMU has handled all the design, architecture work, and site management… who knew that a University could also be a developer!” My point is that Smith Group is credited by the client, GMU, as the designer. I don’t question that the project was managed by GMU. I don’t question that GMU has people working in its facilities planning department that are effective advocates for good design. Of course Smith Group is affiliated with the University, they are credited by GMU as being the designer. But there is a disconnect to write that “GMU has handled all the design, architecture work” and the fact that GMU credits Smith Group as the designer.
I agree that it would be amazing for a Facilities Planning Department to design such a good building on their own, but please explain why GMU feels it important to credit the 7th largest architecture firm in the country as the designer. Maybe there is a good explanation, but it isn’t evident yet. Can GMU clear this up?
For those unfamiliar with the design fields, attribution of design is a very touchy subject and there a specific ethical guidelines that are followed in the architecture profession. The issue of claiming credit for the work of others without acknowledgment is a ethical issue of high importance.