Giving to CALA: Named Buildings & Schools
Every day we see accomplishments made possible through private gift dollars that underwrite scholarships, fund student exchanges and offset costs of educational programs. These opportunities are always available and they remain in great need. But how often do we get the chance to support a new building ─ a facility that will be a permanent reminder of our curricular excellence, as well as a legacy for people like you who share our values and vision?
Our long-awaited opportunity has arrived. The construction, slated for completion in November 2006, is well underway and can be seen on our live webcam. You are among the first to see the renderings of the expansion and remodeling effort of the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Thank you to the alumni and friends who financially assisted CALA in reaching this milestone. While this $12.5 million project is well underway, we must still raise $1 million within the next year to complete our obligation of project costs. It’s such an exciting time to strengthen, or even rekindle, your involvement in the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in a permanent way through supporting a named space. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Eric Hedlund, District Manager, Sundt Construction, Phoenix, AZ
Reflecting on $100,000 commitment from the Sundt Foundation to renovate the Sundt Gallery: "Seventy years ago, Sundt Construction built its first project at the University. Sixty projects later, Sundt continues to partner with the University and the College to collaborate, innovate and impact education in a number of ways. Our gift to renovate the Sundt Gallery in the College represents not only our belief in the ideals and efforts of the College, but also our commitment to honor a key member of our early Sundt organization: the late T.M. Sundt. An architect by trade, T.M. Went on to become a builder in the community. We remain proud and honored to continue the tradition of partnering with the University."
---$225,000 to meet new building obligations;
---$124,000 for furniture design and installation;
---$50,000 for new vacuum system installation;
---$20,000 for fencing on roof of new building; and
---$14,000 for exhaust system for new ceramic shop
Additionally, the School of Architecture and the School of Landscape Architecture can each be named through the establishment of two $750,000 endowments. The $30,000 yielded from each of these high-profile endowments would provide critical operational dollars for essentials such as equipment, travel, and student wages.
A. Richard "Dick" Williams, Professor Emeritus, UA School of Architecture
Statement regarding his $400,000 gift to create the Archon Seminar Room atop the new Architecture Building: "I wanted to foster a physical space in the new building that would embody and serve to host interdisciplinary projects that provoke future comprehensive imagery; intertwining technology, land ethic, energy and environmental husbandry, humanistic, aesthetic inhabitation and cultural advance all as a singulariaty. This is the Archon Seminar Room."
A quote by noted architectural historian Spiro Kostof reflects the heart and soul of our College and how we went about designing the new building: “Architecture is a social act and the material theater of social activity.” The design concept for the expansion and remodeling project evolved from a close working relationship between the Jones Studio, Inc., architects for the expansion and remodeling project, and the building committee chaired by Chuck Albanese.
The design is a clear reflection of what the College philosophy represents through curriculum and values. The concept demonstrates what a design school professes to be: functional sensibility and flexibility-dominated design decisions with climate, orientation, natural light and a signature statement of who we are, all being integrated into a very economic expression of architecture. The most dominating element of the design will be the three-story welded, south-facing screen that, when fully covered with mature vines, will filter light to the faculty offices and jury/breakout spaces on the second and third floors. The same wall will protect the outdoor laboratory work area in the recessed ground level. The space between the screen wall and faculty offices and jury/breakout spaces contains balconies that are accessible at each level.
The expansion bridges the gap along Speedway Boulevard between the blank brick east wall of the existing Architecture Building and the four story brick Electrical Engineering Building ─ our new addition will become a unifying element of glass. The contrasting glass, steel and “green wall” serve to compliment the tradition of the campus and provide an exciting expression for both existing structures to frame in brick.
As you consider your support to this project, remember what it was like during your first semester at the College. Remember the good times and the tough ones, and relive the experience of reaching the goal of graduation.
Sometimes remembering what inspired you as a student is in reflecting on the faculty who helped shape your career or even looking into the eyes of today’s architecture and landscape architecture students.
It’s natural that educated men and women should take the lead in support of higher education. We challenge you to continue sparking our students’ opportunities for inspiration and discovery.
For more information regarding the needs listed, as well as additional needs, please contact Mary Kay Dinsmore, Director of Development & Marketing.