Whole School Design-Build in the Liberal Arts Tradition

Most design/build projects emerge from architectural programs with participation from the engineering and landscape architecture disciplines. Although a variety of interdisciplinary collaborations frequently occur, rarely does a design-build project assume a whole campus experience. One liberal arts institution developed an all-university, inclusive program that enables educators from any discipline to engage students in design/build through the lens of diverse majors. The paper is a faculty narrative describing the whole campus design/build process. Design and build inspirations were eclectically borne with multidirectional dissemination. Seven case studies explore the inspiration given and received from collaboration in the liberal arts tradition. The Joplin tornado event stimulated design as the English majors revealed their survivor story interviews, and a build was motivated from a music therapy Rejuvenation Station to elevate the spirits up of the build crew and volunteers. The volunteer-based university wide student organization “SmartMob! A flash mob with a cause” is a high-impact, low-time commitment mechanism for volunteers to participate in a design/build project and give back to the community. Biology, marketing, and education faculty (among many others) held class on the construction site of a Habitat for Humanity LEED Platinum home prior to transitioning to service on the site. The university has logged 27,260 services hours in the two most recent projects with volunteers representing 23 majors.The aforementioned examples along with others illustrate a whole campus exchange that strengthens the sense of place and purpose, builds relationships between faculty and staff, and ensures upper administration support and enthusiasm for the program. Everyone has the opportunity to influence the design, whether it is a student of architecture, nursing, or communications. The points of view and critique are equally valued and usually insightful. The paper will provide seven case studies and best practices for a new model for design/build programs, Inclusive Design/Build, reaching beyond boundaries to create whole-campus participation and support.

Volume Editors
Sergio Palleroni, Ted Cavanagh & Ursula Hartig

ISBN
978-0-935502-94-7