Spring Break
Music and Speech building next in line for renovations
Kurt Jakub
Issue date: 8/10/06 Section: News
Originally published: 8/9/06 at 2:37 AM EST Last update: 8/9/06 at 2:37 AM EST
The Music and Speech Building is yet another structure on campus set for renovations.
The Office of the University Architect is looking for architects and engineers to design the renovation, said Mike Bruder, assistant director for the office of the University Architect.
Tom Euclide, director for the office of the University Architect, said all of the proposals for choosing an architect are in.
"We're hoping to have an architect on board in the fall," Bruder said.
The D-wing area of the building, which is currently used as a loading dock, will be receiving the most attention during renovations, Bruder added.
Kent State received a $6.5 million donation from the Roe Green Foundation to update the building, Euclide said. Many of the renovations will cater to the School of Theatre and Dance.
"The dance program is going to be under the same roof as theater now," Bruder said.
Bruder said the Music and Speech Building will receive some new dance studios, classrooms, a large lecture hall and possibly a café.
Euclide said they will also add new amenities to the theater department, including a "black-box" theater.
The building, originally built in 1961, can no longer handle the size of its occupants.
"When the building was built they had about 75 majors," Bruder said. "They have 300 now, four times the size they were, so the students are pretty cramped in there."
Bruder said some of the existing classrooms need improvements.
"They have a lot of lab-specific classes, such as classes for lighting, costuming and set-building," Bruder said. "Some of the spaces need improvement, like better ventilation and additional costume storage."
Euclide said construction is set to begin in the fall of 2007.
"Construction will take about two years to finish," Bruder said.
Contact buildings, grounds and transportation reporter Kurt Jakub at kjakub@kent.edu.
The Office of the University Architect is looking for architects and engineers to design the renovation, said Mike Bruder, assistant director for the office of the University Architect.
Tom Euclide, director for the office of the University Architect, said all of the proposals for choosing an architect are in.
"We're hoping to have an architect on board in the fall," Bruder said.
The D-wing area of the building, which is currently used as a loading dock, will be receiving the most attention during renovations, Bruder added.
Kent State received a $6.5 million donation from the Roe Green Foundation to update the building, Euclide said. Many of the renovations will cater to the School of Theatre and Dance.
"The dance program is going to be under the same roof as theater now," Bruder said.
Bruder said the Music and Speech Building will receive some new dance studios, classrooms, a large lecture hall and possibly a café.
Euclide said they will also add new amenities to the theater department, including a "black-box" theater.
The building, originally built in 1961, can no longer handle the size of its occupants.
"When the building was built they had about 75 majors," Bruder said. "They have 300 now, four times the size they were, so the students are pretty cramped in there."
Bruder said some of the existing classrooms need improvements.
"They have a lot of lab-specific classes, such as classes for lighting, costuming and set-building," Bruder said. "Some of the spaces need improvement, like better ventilation and additional costume storage."
Euclide said construction is set to begin in the fall of 2007.
"Construction will take about two years to finish," Bruder said.
Contact buildings, grounds and transportation reporter Kurt Jakub at kjakub@kent.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Anonymous
posted 8/10/06 @ 9:31 AM EST
What about the art building? I spent two years of my life in that building, and it is a dump. Classrooms that have ponds in them when it rains, open rooms so you can not only hear your prof lecturing, but the two in the connected classrooms, and very few bathrooms that are ridiculously small are just a few of the reasons that I have often commented to my friends that the art building needs to be knocked down. (Continued…)
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