WISCONSIN ARTS BOARD

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University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Student Union Expansion and Admissions Center
Project #04K1M

Art Budget: $49,000 (Expected to cover all design and fabrication expenses associated with the project.)
Application/Image Deadline: April 2, 2007
Eligibility Criteria: All artists from Arts Midwest region are eligible to apply (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin)
Art Schedule
Design Due: June/July 2007
Installation: TBD based on selected location
Building Completion: Spring-Summer 2009
Architects: Kahler Slater Architects, Milwaukee, WI

The University

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s strength is based on three principles:
Access, Excellence, and Impact.

• Access: UW-Parkside delivers the experiences necessary for fulfilling the educational aspirations of the wide range of students attracted to the campus.

• Excellence: UW-Parkside offers excellent academic programs in the tradition of liberal education along with opportunities for civic engagement, cultural experiences, extended academic programs, athletics and recreational activities.

• Impact: The University enhances the quality of life in the surrounding communities via community and civic engagement. UW-Parkside faculty members provide expertise, leadership, and forge regional partnerships. UW-Parkside is known for its student, faculty, staff, and administrative volunteerism in community and civic groups. Together, Access, Excellence and Impact serve as the cornerstone to help make the University of Wisconsin-Parkside “southeastern Wisconsin’s University of Opportunity.”

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus is nestled among nearly 700 acres of restored meadows, towering oak and maple woods, and a picturesque river in Kenosha County. The campus is located between Milwaukee and Chicago.

UW-Parkside serves a diverse student body of approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business and Technology. UW-Parkside ranks among the top UW System campuses in enrolling persons of color.

The Facility

UW-Parkside’s Student Union serves as the center of student life and student activities on the UW-Parkside campus. The goal of the expansion project is to create a building that is welcoming, warm, friendly, energetic and vibrant. When the building is completed, it will: a) offer greater programming space for students, b) bring all student organizations together from across campus, c) consolidate services such as admissions, financial aid, registrar and ranger card into one location, d) modernize dining options, and e) provide comfortable hang out space for students while creating a front door to the campus.

The new Student Union will host dances, films, comedians, talent shows, bands, music groups, casino nights, lectures/speakers and more.  In addition, students will have a place to play billiards and video games, use the internet , or simply hangout and study and talk.

Of the 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students at UW-Parkside, 86% are full time; 76% are traditional age (ranging in age from 18-24); 57% are women; 25% are students of color; and 21% live in the residence halls.

A new single level addition to the south and a two level addition to the north of the existing Student Union will create 53,075 square feet of additional space, essentially doubling the size of the existing Student Union. In addition, the existing Student Union will also be remodeled. 

Overall the exterior design will be integrated with existing campus buildings, using reddish brick and pre-cast concrete trim. All new exterior windows will have a bronze tint. An outdoor dining plaza will connect to the rest of the campus on the south. The surrounding landscape will reflect UW-Parkside’s “Woodland and Prairie” aesthetic.

The interior space will be a more lively, friendly and comfortable space than the existing facility. The building is zoned to include the more active spaces (dining, food service, and recreation/multi purpose) on the lower two levels of the facility, and quieter functional areas (including office areas, meeting rooms, ballroom, and student organization areas) on the upper two levels. Open spaces and extensive use of interior glass are designed to encourage transparency. The pre-function spaces, dining areas, and even the monumental stairs will double as informal lounge spaces, “hang-out” areas, and quiet study spaces. Increased meeting space, a multi-purpose, divisible ballroom, and an enhanced theater will serve UWP students well into the future. The new Student Union will be WIFI accessible.

The south addition will feature a two story glass tower facing the South East serving as the new main entrance to the Student Union, as well the front door to the campus. A new entry drive and parking lot will be relocated to the south of the existing drive and will provide direct access to the new SE entrance for both students and community members.

The new entrance will lead to a large circulation space that doubles as a lounge area on the first level. The Information Center, a new dining space with multiple food service options, a bookstore, coffee house, a bank, and the Student radio station, which will be visible through its glass walls, and a graphic arts center along with an updated 400 seat movie theater and the Admissions offices will all be housed on the first level and front on the new circulation space. Large south facing windows will line the first floor central circulation/lounge area. Throughout the facility, the wall finishes will consist of natural reddish brick and painted wall surfaces. A central circular grand stair case with a large landing available for performances will open to the second level offices and meeting rooms and a second grand staircase will open the dining area to the entertainment area on the lower level. The lower level will house a “club” like space for concerts and comedy shows, etc. along with multi purpose/recreational space.

The Student Involvement Center, the Student Leadership and Cultural Development Center, the Alumni Room, a ballroom, and administration offices will all be located on the second level. The Alumni Room will feature high end finishes and an exterior balcony that overlooks an outdoor entertainment area and landscaped quad beyond. An exterior dining plaza is located adjacent to the entertainment area with direct access to interior dining rooms, on the northwest, campus side of the facility.

Specifications

The primary audience for the artwork will be UW-Parkside students, alumni and the general campus population. 80% of the students are commuters. The selection committee is interested in artwork that engages the students. The selection committee is also open to consideration of sites that may be identified by the artist. Both interior and exterior sites for artwork may be considered. Potential sites for artwork include but are not limited to:

Exterior Sites:

1. The green areas surrounding the south entrance tower. [ image ] [ image ]
2. The pedestrian mall/the south side plaza. [ image ] [ image ]
3. The brick wall of the bookstore. [ image ] [ image ]
4. A treatment of the main entrance door.
[ image ]

Interior Sites:

5. Two story atrium at the south entrance. [ image ]
6. Above the grand staircase. [ image ]
7. Along the south facing windows. [ image ] [ image ]
8. The brick wall at the east end of the two story entrance space, above the entry doors. [ image ] [ image ]
9. Throughout the facility located in “nooks and crannies” of the facility.
10. Please note that the large wall above the circular staircase is reserved for another purpose and will not to be considered for artwork through this commission. [ image ]

Conceptual considerations

The selection committee is interested in artwork that a) is welcoming and serves as a gateway to the campus; b) reflects the energy/synergy of a campus—what are students doing in this place? and c) has a poetic quality and intellectual content. Artwork will be viewed as strong that addresses the following concepts:

• The Student Union is the “living room” or hub of the campus.

• Encourages the development of community and fellowship.

• Could be interactive/creative/functional furniture.

• Exterior work may be contemplative.

• Artwork sited on the interior of the two story entrance atrium should be visible from exterior also.

• Makes use of reflected or refracted light.

• Artwork that is timeless and bears repeated viewing over time.

• Artwork may be nonrepresentational, but not so abstract as to be unrecognizable by faculty & students.

• Artwork that serves, as an ambassador—the artwork needs to be appealing and accessible to non-arts people.

Potential Materials

The selection committee is interested in commissioning an artist working in materials that are permanent and durable, require minimal maintenance and that support the artist’s concept. Innovative use of reflected or refracted light will also be considered for the interior spaces.

 

Updated: September 12, 2007