Architecture at the University has had some highs and lows. I’d say the burning of the Rotunda in 1895 was a blessing in disguise, as it got rid of the horrible addition on the back, and the University received an amazing design by Standford White.

Later, in spite of the bureaucracy of a state University, including the politics of a Board of Visitors, raising funds (i.e. keeping donors happy and generous) for new buildings and preservation issues, UVa has actually managed to put up a few new buildings that are brilliant and blend in well. My personal favorite is the relatively new English building, Bryan Hall, designed by Michael Graves.

It slipped in behind the amphitheater and created a perfect solution to overcrowded walkways. The palette and attention to proportions pays respect to the architectural history surrounding it, yet brings it up to date. Finally, it took a made the most of some very tricky topography.

Alright, I’ll stop yammering now. What are some of your favorite campus designs? Olmsted at Stanford? The campus redesign by Hargreaves at The University of Cincinnati? The built-to-look-aged-quickly Gothic of Duke (OK, I’m not sure that’s a fact, but whatever)? The Square that has emerged around Harvard? The amphitheater at Swarthmore? Perhaps an urban campus that works well?

The craziest thing I saw on his website was the Longaberger Basket Building.

Oh. My. God. I’m speechless. So I ask anyone who has read Venturi and Scott-Brown, is this the biggest duck you’ve ever seen or what? If not, what’s the biggest duck you’ve ever seen? Or is this a basket-shaped shed? If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ll definitely think I’ve lost my mind.

Anyway, I promise to get back to Campus design tomorrow. There are so many great buildings and campus designs out there to admire (and a lot to make fun of as well). So for homework, check out recent work at MIT by Stephen Holl and Frank Gehry (here and here), and discuss amongst yourselves. You can do that here if you wish. Come on, I’m bored! Tell me what you think!

. . . some cool dorm inspiration . . .
. . . how to determine whether your furniture is for Chillin’, Kickin’ It, or Keepin’ it Real . . .
. . . and how to decorate your blank walls on a budget.

Today’s Friday. Class is not in session this weekend, plus you’ve got a day off Monday. Enjoy it. We’ll leave you with a final list of tips for the semester: dorm room decorating “Dos and Don’ts”. These tried-and-true rules will have your place looking ship-shape in no time.

Links:
View College and Dorm Decor Dos and Don’ts

My roommate grew up in a naked house, and thus is very comfortable lettin’ it all hang out all day long. How can I avoid the view?

Signed,
Afraid to Open My Eyes

Dear Afraid,

Please invest in a Designer’s Eye Wall Room Divider.

It comes in different colors and if you ever get a roommate whose birthday suit you want to see, you can roll it up and store it with ease. Good luck!

Dear Becky,

My frat brothers have adopted a three legged dog that has never been house-trained. My room is getting rather fragrant. What to do?

Signed,
Juan Epstein

Dear Juan,

I feel your pain. It reminds me of when The Dude has to toss out his urine soaked rug in “The Big Lebowski” and keeps lamenting that “it really tied the room together man!”

First, nail the doggy door shut. This will not only keep Spot out, it will prevent your hygienically-challenged brothers from crawling through it in order to borrow your deodorant.

Second, treat yourself to an Angela Adams cotton rug, like the Bruno Suede or the Raindrop Moonstone. It will impress the ladies and it will really tie the room together, man.