Lansing-East Lansing, MI Development

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by uaarkson

That thing is stunning in person. It beats anything UofM has built in the last 10 years, imo.

That's because U of M has strict contextual guidelines for campus development. I see the rationale...create a cohesive unified campus rather than a hodgepodge of structures. I can understand that to an extent, but in the case of an art museum I believe you can be afforded the freedom to design something out of the box. In a sense the building behaves as a sculpture in the garden.

[subterranean]

What about the Pringle?

[Rizzo]

Anything but the pringle.

[subterranean]

Either way, MSU's north campus and U-M's main campuses are stunning in different ways. State's south campus and Michigan's north campuses on the other hand are pretty awful. I do like the Walgreen Drama Center, though.

[Rizzo]

When it comes to science and engineering facilities, the buildings won't stand more than 40 years. That's why they look pretty functional and unremarkable in architecture. I imagine in time, many buildings on MSU's south campus will be replaced as required.

What needs to change dramatically is these large dorm complexes MSU has like Wonders, Case, and Wilson. It's housing of the past and universities are focusing on smaller facilities that house no more than 500 people and are extremely amenity heavy and offer more space per student.

[Kingofthehill]

Originally Posted by ColDayMan

What in God's hell...

Yeah. Who thought it was a good idea to design a building comprised of air conditioning vents?

[subterranean]

I read the public comments (which I contributed to) after they selected the design and a good 80% were very negative. Mine was negative, too. But it's growing on me a little.

[LMich]

It was also either my least favorite, or second-least favorite of the five or so designs for the museum, but it's grown on me, too. I favored the more vertical designs, but I now appreciate the horizontal lines of the thing. It's certainly a better piece of work than Zaha Hadid's only other building in America, the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincy.

[ColDayMan]

I never cared for the CAC in Cincinnati but it at least fits the surroundings (matching the similar height buildings next door; the ode to the sidewalk with the curve from the base to the top; fitting in the urban space for being such a monolithic box of concrete and glass; etc). This MSU building seems to not give a flying fuck about its surroundings and context and is more of a "look at me! I'm special!" type of schtick, which only works if the building is good. In this case, the building isn't good and belongs in an outlet center next to Oslo's IKEA.

[Kingofthehill]

Originally Posted by ColDayMan

I never cared for the CAC in Cincinnati but it at least fits the surroundings (matching the similar height buildings next door; the ode to the sidewalk with the curve from the base to the top; fitting in the urban space for being such a monolithic box of concrete and glass; etc). This MSU building seems to not give a flying fuck about its surroundings and context and is more of a "look at me! I'm special!" type of schtick, which only works if the building is good. In this case, the building isn't good and belongs in an outlet center next to Oslo's IKEA.

[uaarkson]

I'm with Hayward here.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by LMich

It was also either my least favorite, or second-least favorite of the five or so designs for the museum, but it's grown on me, too. I favored the more vertical designs, but I now appreciate the horizontal lines of the thing. It's certainly a better piece of work than Zaha Hadid's only other building in America, the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincy.

While architectural preference is subjective, I don't think it's fair to pair these two buildings up. They both respond highly to context and in each situation are complete opposites.

The museum in Cincy responds to urban sidewalk conditions with complete transparency on ground level to allow pedestrians to see activity within the building and therefore charging that corner with activity.

The MSU museum sits within a campus..almost a park like setting and is very much about procession and directing travel toward the entry. In no way does the architecture suggest you stop in a particular location to view what's going on inside, but it does provide dramatic angles when viewing from further distance.

I'm particularly intrigued by the stacked volumes of slightly different texture and strong contrast in Cincy. I would assume they represent different levels and rooms of the program within, but it also breaks apart a large building with massings that are nearly perfect in scale with neighboring structures...except turned on their side.

As I mentioned before, the MSU example is very sculptural. It is flashly, but it's also very low in profile in a way that's not overpowering to neighboring structures. What I do find odd is this building seems to look shrinkwrapped to me. Was there a much grander, possibly more expensive proposal originally? Seems like angles and forms were subdued from the usual Hadid geometry and essentially focus was shifted to the skin of the building to make up for this loss.

I guess one thing that bothers me about this building is that psychologically this thing tells me to "stay back." Though that's not surprising for an art museum. It could be the way it meets the ground at an acute angle, but it's nowhere near as approachable as the Cincy building...probably because the intent was to make the ground level look as open as possible. If I remember correctly, sidewalk patterns continue onto the interior.

[ColDayMan]

^Correct.

[LMich]

Originally Posted by Hayward

I guess one thing that bothers me about this building is that psychologically this thing tells me to "stay back." Though that's not surprising for an art museum. It could be the way it meets the ground at an acute angle, but it's nowhere near as approachable as the Cincy building...probably because the intent was to make the ground level look as open as possible. If I remember correctly, sidewalk patterns continue onto the interior.

If I remember correctly from what Hadid said recently, the idea for the CAC was that the sidewalk be "rolled" right into the design, kind of sweeping you off the street into the building, which is probably the best feature of the design.

The Broad was built as a piece of art, itself, and to be as controversial as the art inside of it. MSU wanted it horizontal enough so as not to tower the campus, but flashy enough to make a sharp statement at one of the main entrances to the university. The site, itself, is a feature of the design as it dictates that the building have no conventional front or back, and that the building 'sweep' along Grand River. Hadid doesn't like right angles, so it's why you don't get a conventional box.


Michigan State University Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum by Barton Malow Company, on Flickr


Michigan State University Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum by Barton Malow Company, on Flickr


Michigan State University Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum by Barton Malow Company, on Flickr

[subterranean]

Dang! That interior is phenomenal!

Hayward: Very thoughtful commentary. Your architect is showing.
I like the idea that Broad is designed to direct you along toward the entrance, sort of captivated, and I imagine one might get that same feeling from the interior as well. From the photos the program seems to almost sweep patrons along to their destination without your consent.

[LMich]

I wrote CATA, yesterday, about the progress on the application to submit to the FTA's Small Starts program concerning the Michigan Avenue BRT. It seems that they've finally submitted the complete application after a year or so of trying to get it just right. It seems that they missed the deadline for fiscal year 2013, so it will be considered for the 2014 fiscal year, but I'm not sure what the start of the fiscal year is for 2014. Anyway, since they worked with the FTA so closely and for so long, it increases the chances that we get the funding we need to start development of the service.

[LMich]

Looks like Virg is bringing back some jobs from his visit to Italy. It sounds like it'll be some local operation for a supplier to Fiat:

Monday, Nov. 26 — After taking some heat last week from a few Lansing City Council members for going to Italy and not telling them about it, Mayor Virg Bernero announced tonight that an Italian “green energy” manufacturer plans to invest $9 million in the city, bringing with it 80 new jobs.

Bernero did not disclose the name of the company when breaking the news during tonight’s Council meeting. He said a formal announcement would come before Christmas. He also suggested that new investment may result from the merger of Chrysler and Fiat, but did not offer details.

There is plenty of empty industrial lands in the city, and it's good to see it won't be built in some neighboring township.

[LMich]

Okay, so this thing has actually been under reconstruction for a few months, but I guess heavy construction is about to take place:

Angela Wittrock

Construction underway at historic Knapp's building in downtown Lansing

By Angela Wittrock | MLive.com

December 4, 2012

LANSING, MI – To the untrained ear, the noise interrupting Tuesday's announcement by city and company officials – that that construction had begun on the redevelopment of the historic Knapp's building in downtown Lansing – might sound like a jackhammer.

To Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, it sounds like progress.

Flanked by representatives from the Eyde Company and economic development officials, Bernero and the assembled group announced that construction had commenced on the $36 million redevelopment of the building.

"The building is a truly unique and historic structure. And it was such an important part of downtown landing that we're thrilled to turn it back into a hub of activity once again," Eyde Company project manager Nick Eyde said in a press release. The Edye Company owns the building and is serving as the project's developer.

Eyde compared the reconstruction process to restoring a classic car, saying the building would be "systematically disassembled and refurbished" before being put back together.

Construction is expected to be complete in 12 to 14 months.

...

Plans call for the restoration and redevelopment of the building at 300 S. Washington Square; the completed project will include 22 top-floor residential units and retail space.

The Eyde Co. will relocate its East Lansing headquarters to the building, and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, or LEAP, will operate a fashion-focused business incubator, The Runway, out of the space.

...

Quinn Evans out of Ann Arbor are doing the work (they did the restoration of the capitol). I'm trying to find out if they are going to replace the macotta panels with actual macotta or something painted to look like them. Technically, they must keep the exterior looking the same, but I hope they don't try to cheat with cheap materials.


George Eyde (R) of the Eyde Company holds up the K after it was removed Tuesday marking the start of the restoration of the Knapp's Building in downtown Lansing by his company. At left helping is Chad Comps. Photo taken 12/4/2012 by Greg DeRuiter.

[subterranean]

I have been wondering the very same thing about the materials. I just couldn't imagine how they were going to restore the facade of this beast since it looks so dingy, but I guess that will come into focus in the coming months as they're removing the tile work and either cleaning them up or installing replacements.

I hope this majorly exceeds my expectations because, quite frankly, they haven't been very high. It's a cool building, but difficult to bring into the 21st Century while maintaining its unique character.

[Rizzo]

I'd just spec porcelain block to match...finish and match color. It would outlast the other tiles and surpass the entire lifespan of the building.

There may be some barely noticeable nuances in finish but it would blend with time.