In response to feedback from students and the Design Committee, the architects completely reworked the building’s exterior appearance in a schemed called “Organic.” Do you think it’s an improvement from the 7.2.08 schemes? Students and the Design Committee seemed to think so, although there was a strong consensus that the northern or Campus Drive side (the one with the train) need much more attention.

View from Southwest

Orchard Street

Northeast Entry (Campus Drive & Orchard)

Northwest Entry (Campus Drive & Randall) - Option 1

Northwest Entry - Option 2

Here are the latest designs. We’ve included two elevations from each of the three options.

Option One

Northeast Entry

South Terrace

Option Two

Northeast Entry

South Terrace

Option Three

Northeast Entry

South Terrace

Please let us know what you think in the comments!

Here are two possibilities presented by our landscape architects (Olin) at the 5.29.08 Design Committee meeting.

1 - Curves

2. Geometric

1. Is an Amphitheatre desired?

2. Is ice skating desired at Union South, Memorial Union, or both?

3. Is sand volley ball desired? If so, how many courts?

4. Is a water feature desired? We can look into possibilities to
incorporate storm water with a potential feature.

5. Is a large outdoor projection screen desired - this could be an
inflatable screen for outdoor movies. It could also be used to show
football games on game day. People can gather to wait and will be able
to hear the crowd during the game.

6. Badger Bash - What kinds of specific events take place? How
many people typically are involved? Please more specifically describe
the event. What accommodations need to be made? Is there any site
features that are currently lacking that would make this event more
successful?

7. Summer SOAR - Please more specifically describe what takes
place at the orientation and what types of facilities might be required.

8. Fall / Spring Drama - Is this a site requirement or is it
handled indoors.

9. Percent for Art - What is the expectation on the project for
art? Do we need to locate any pieces?

10. Vendor Carts - How many carts could we expect on a normal day?
What types of uses might they be? Food, what else?

11. Farmer’s Market - Is this a definite program requirement? If so,
how large of would the desired market be?

12. Outdoor Art Sales / Shows - This can be a flexible event.
Artist’s can set up work around the site for show or purchase. What
desires would there be for an event like this?

13. Bike & Moped Parking - Number of bikes and mopeds to be
accommodated.

14. Hoofers - What programs are desired at the new Union? What types
of rental space is required?

What do you think of these two possibilities?

Option #1

Option #2

Some questions to consider: how are the colors, is there too much or not enough glass, are the exteriors too modern, what do you think of the detailing (such as the various overhangs)?

Please let us know what you think.

C.G. Schmidt was recently selected as the Construction Manager for the new Union South. Simply stated, their role is essentially to turn the architects’ designs into an actual building.

We are currently looking for four summer interns: Sustainability, Student Involvement, Construction, and Marketing & PR. These positions are a tremendous opportunity for UW-Madison students to get invaluable hands-on experience.

Check the Student Involvement page our the project website for the full position descriptions.

Check out the fourth round of designs. Highlights include a new mezzanine level in between the first and second floors, as well as a move of the bowling alley from the basement to the second level. The bowling alley move has generated some heated debate, but was driven by the need to raise the lower parking levels out of the water table, which is very high in this part of the city (building into the water table = very expensive).

In preparation for the campus’ Design Review Board on April 22nd, architects released two refined models. The main changes center on the northwest corner, though smaller refinements are also present throughout.

Here are the links to the respective pages:

http://unionbuildingproject.wordpress.com/round-31-option-1/

http://unionbuildingproject.wordpress.com/round-31-option-2/

The Building Project’s sustainability consultants will be hosting a lunchtime symposium on green design today in Engineering Hall, 1610 from 11:00-12:30. Free pizza will be served.