Reimagining BGSU's Learning Spaces
"Traditions to Tomorrow" represents the single largest investment in academic buildings and learning spaces in the history of Bowling Green State University. Over the next seven years, the University will reimagine learning spaces throughout its Bowling Green campus. The academic core will be revitalized through the renovation, construction or demolition of more than a dozen buildings.
The primary goals of the program include:
- Creating next-generation teaching and learning spaces that support evolving teaching pedagogies,
- Better aligning facilities to meet the needs of the University's academic programs, and
- Locating complementary academic disciplines in campus "neighborhoods" to allow closer collaboration.
PLANNING AND CONCEPT DESIGN
An Executive Planning Team that includes senior University administrators, a nationally recognized architectural firm, a construction management firm, and a program management firm has begun the planning process. This work includes space planning, modeling, and utilization studies for all academic space that is to be added or improved. The result of this effort will be recommendations on the type, quantity and location of teaching and learning spaces such as classrooms and faculty offices. It will also lay out timelines for phases of implementation, including schedules for demolition, construction and the use of temporary space. The executive team will also present concept designs for all major building projects. This process will be completed by May of 2013.
AN INCLUSIVE PROCESS
Input from students, faculty and staff is being gathered throughout the planning and implementation of the program. Of particular importance is the Academic Visioning Group made up of teaching faculty and students. They are responsible for establishing the vision for the next generation of learning spaces. This includes providing planning guidelines for classroom sizes, technology and support systems, and other aspects.
Advisory groups have also been formed for programs that are currently expected to be impacted including:
School of Media and Communication
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
College of Business
Initial Projects
Following space planning and modeling, the initial renovation and construction projects will focus on BGSU's Traditions Buildings - Moseley, University, Hanna, and South halls. The interiors of the buildings will essentially be gutted, allowing the University to maintain the architectural charm of the three turn of the century buildings while creating modern classrooms and learning spaces inside. South Hall will also be gutted, but will also receive some architectural enhancements to the exterior.
MOSELEY HALL
Current plans call for Moseley Hall to serve as the home of classrooms and offices for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Work on Moseley is expected to begin in the fall of 2013.
SOUTH HALL
South Hall will be the new home of the School of Media and Communication. West Hall, which currently houses the school, will be torn down. Work on South Hall is expected to begin in the fall of 2013.
PROTOTYPE ACADEMIC SPACE - OLSCAMP HALL
One of the more exciting projects will begin this summer. The second floor of Olscamp Hall will be renovated, creating state-of-the-art learning spaces that include classrooms, common spaces, project workrooms and study spaces. This prototype space will allow us to conduct real-world tests of our designs and concepts and make improvements as we move forward. Classes will be held in the space beginning the fall of 2013.
Later Projects
A NEW COLLEGE OF BUSINESS BUILDING
The University will begin raising funds for a new building for the College of Business to be located near the Little Red Schoolhouse and Carillion Place.
CURRENT BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
The current College of Business Building will be renovated after the new building for the college is complete. Plans call for the College of Education and Human Development to move into this renovated facility.
CBA Teaching and Learning Workshop
CBA Intro
EDUCATION BUILDING
Initial plans call for the demolition of the Education Building. The College of Education and Human Development will be housed in the current College of Business Building following its renovation.
WEST HALL
West Hall will be demolished. The School of Media and Communication will move to South Hall.
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES BUILDING
The Family and Consumer Sciences Building will be demolished. Family and Consumer Sciences' new home has not been determined.
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
The Administration building is slated for demolition in the later stages of the effort.
Space Planning and Initial Construction Timeline:
- Executive team organized COMPLETED
- Data gathering COMPLETED
- Formation of the visioning group COMPLETED
- Planning and concept design Nov. 2012 - June 2013
- New academic space plan completed May 2013
- Olscamp prototype academic space Fall 2013
- South Hall work begins Fall 2013
- Moseley Hall work begins Fall 2013