Erlanger House

February 24th, 2015

Today we had the opportunity to tour the Erlanger House located right off of campus in Urbana. This unique house was designed by architect James Baker for a university dance instructor/professor, Margaret Erlanger. Immediately when approaching the house from the neighborhood sidewalk, you are puzzled by the all brick exterior facade of the house. It is irregular compared to its surroundings, for it has a modern, simplistic, and closed off design. There are no windows present on the exterior and conveys a blocked off atmosphere. In addition, the entrance is hidden and difficult to find. This design just serves as another component to the closed off ambiance. 

When entering the door, the visitor is greeted by an immense amount of light and open space. The entire house has an unadorned facade consisting of Chicago common brick, glass, steel, stone and wood. Emphasizing the simplicity of the house, Baker designed the house to only have a open living area, a kitchen, a bedroom, and a master bath. With such an open but small floorplan, the Erlanger house reaches a new level of simplicity. Another unique and modern component to the house is the amount of natural light. There are two expansive windows that showcase the closed courtyard and backyard. The brick of the house continues through the windows, therefore blurring the line between the outside and the inside of the house. The light that shines through these windows reaches the entirety of the house and serves as an advantage for minimal energy consumption. 

This house is designed to require minimal maintenance and energy consumption. This house is unique for its modern and simplistic design, especially compared to the surrounding historical houses. 

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

February 5th, 2015

Today we had the opportunity to take a tour at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Designed by Max Abramovitz, a University of Illinois alumna, the center has become the designated venue for the most spectacular performances presented at the university. Krannert Center is a complex including four main theatres; Foellinger great hall, Tryon festival theatre, Colwell playhouse, and the Studio theatre. Each performance facility has its own specific purposes and architectural components that complement the space. This center is named after millionaire industrialist and alumna Herman C. Krannert and his wife Ellnora, for they were the original donors to the creation of the center. After developing flexible cardboard, Krannert became a millionaire and soon became a donor to several different facilities in the country. 

In the Krannert Center lobby there are several architectural designs that are unique. The lobby extends about the length of 6 (?) tennis courts and its floors display a tile that is entirely unique. It is made of teak from Thailand and resembles the landscape of the midwest from a bird's eye view. 

Along with the distinctive wood tile, Krannert's touch was also found in the ceilings and walls near the theatres. The wall is lined with a texture mimicking the look of the flexible/foldable cardboard, therefore paying homage to Krannert and his invention.

 We moved onto the biggest auditorium in the space, Foellinger Great Hall. It has a nice lobby space that utilizes natural light and serves as a entrance into the theatre. I think that this natural light truly adds to the appeal and ambiance of this grand entrance. The Great Hall is well known for its acoustic ability and purposeful architectural designs. For example, there are no right angles or parallel surfaces in the entire auditorium which in turn allows the sound vibrations to reflect back to the audience. In addition, the design of Foellinger Great Hall is perfectly symmetrical (they even added a fake door to stay true to the symmetry). 

Overall I think that this tour was very valuable because it is an amazing and unique facility that our university is proud to showcase. All of the auditoriums and amphitheaters serve a specific genre of the arts and exhibit considerate designs pertaining to the purpose of the space. 

Abbott Power Plant Tour

January 29th, 2015

Today we had the opportunity to attend a tour at Abbott Power Plant in Champaign. Even with its two towering pipes in the air, I somehow never noticed the plant on campus. Because it is located on the edge of campus, it doesn't typically draw the attention of students except for the occasional smoke coming from the pipes. The University has operated this co-generation plant since 1941 and contrary to popular belief the plant provides 75% of the electrical energy used on campus.

We began the tour with the knowledge that the plant converts coal, natural gas, and potable water into energy directly consumed on campus. These raw materials come to the plant and become filtered/converted into usable energy. This plant is considered both energy efficient and cost-effective because of its combined heating, cooling and power production cycle. Even though the black emissions and smoke appear to be harmful pollutants to the air on campus, the emissions actually pose little health risks. In one of the pipes it is smoke from the burning coal, but coming from the other pipe is only harmless steam. 

Taking this tour was very interesting and informative. We were able to look at the engines and boilers up close and see how they work in action. There are so many different components at work at all times, and seeing them in this work environment was fascinating. This plant loads more efficiently and conserves energy by consuming fewer natural resources. Now that I know that Abbott Power Plant is responsible for so much of the electrical energy, I have learned to appreciate the buildings around us even when they aren't continuously praised or noticed.  

Main Quad / Engineering Quad

January 27th, 2015

Today was my first day of ARCH 199 KH. We started off our tour at the steps and lobby of the well-known Foellinger Auditorium. I had previously done a project on the auditorium, so I was well aware that this auditorium served as a central point of University of Illinois’ campus. Located on one end of the main quadrangle, it certainly makes a statement in uniting all the different studies and their designated buildings. 

Professor Hinders then further explained that this campus, more specifically the main quad, lies on an axis that runs through the majority of campus. We were able to walk along the main quad and we then observed how the buildings lead the line of sight to significant buildings like Krannert Center. 

Also in the Quad we were able to see buildings that are awaiting additions and updates such as the Henry Administration building. Professor Hinders also explained to us the significance of the bush hedges that complete each of the buildings and allow for a completed thorough look. Each of these buildings are designed to represent their time and era of architecture, and because of this, the architect has the creative freedom to develop a specific design to reflect modern society. For example, the Foreign Language Building looks a bit out of place next to the older and buildings surrounding it. This is because the architect incorporated modern inspirations into the design. 

After passing the Union at the other end of the main quad, we were interrupted by a change of axis. The engineering quad felt like it was shifted over and not in line with the main quad nor the Union. The quad had to incorporate a pedestrian-friendly bridge to accommodate the river flowing through the campus.

Whilst walking through the engineering quad, we passed by a series of buildings that led up to the Beckman Institute building. Because I rarely walk through the engineering quad, I was unfamiliar with most if not all of the buildings. In addition, Professor Hinders’ opinion on the Beckman Institute struck me and truly allowed for me to think of the building and its poor design. By essentially building a wall blocking the entrance towards the outside of the campus, it shuts out the outside community. This doesn't portray a welcoming message or image for the University itself. I enjoyed this tour through the main quad and engineering quad, for now I have a different perspective and appreciation for the paths that I walk everyday.