College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, UMINN / Steven Holl Architects

An inspiration to all, the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota stands as an intriguing building that glows during the late-night working hours of its inhabitants. Completed by Steven Holl Architects in 2002, the building has received much recognition for it’s enlightening and unifying qualities, an example being the Progressive Architecture Award in 1990.

More on the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and Steven Holl Architects after the break.

As is the case when designing an educational facility for an institution, the ideas of unification and continuity were greatly considered in the design of the CALA (College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture) expansion.  With other main intentions of articulating interior and exterior spaces, Steven Holl Architects created a form that fits in with it’s environment by day and transforms into a glowing box at night.

The architects hoped to increase pedestrian circulation while also encouraging campus activity. The program of this addition includes a library, auditorium, office, seminar space and studio space, acting as a complementary building alongside one built previously by Thorshov and Cerny.

A basic form of two L-shaped masses which are overlaid on each other, using mostly obtuse angles. This is a major contrast between the existing building and the addition, as the existing building uses right angles to frame views onto the courtyard while the angles of the addition extend towards exterior landscapes.

Another characteristic of the new building are the arms, which end in vertical elevations that open the building to the surroundings, “bracketing “shafts of space” and activating the campus.”

The cost of the building ended at $7,800,000.

Architect: Steven Holl Architects
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Project Year: 1990-2002
References: Steven Holl Architects
Photographs:  Paul Warchol, Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects