Architecture Club Constructs Dialogue

Author: Emily Thaler

Two years ago, Andrew Corrigan '02.5, a pre-architecture student, came up with the idea for an architecture table modeled loosely on the language tables, which would provide a place for students, faculty and staff to meet up and discuss architecture.

Corrigan sought to recreate the studio environment, where professors and students engage in casual conversation, in a place that was accessible to the entire community.

Over the past two years the table has grown in popularity, supported by what Associate Professor of the History of Art & Architecture Pieter Broucke calls a "booming interest" in the pre-architecture program.

The table has also become more organized since its early days in Freeman International Center.

At last Thursday's meeting, attendees voted on a constitution and elected officers, important steps in validating the table's new status as an on-campus student organization.

Though the table is student-run, all members of the College community are encouraged to attend the Thursday meetings at 12:20 p.m. in Ross Seminar 001.

Students, particularly those in the pre-architecture program, make up the majority of the table, but there are also several members of the faculty and staff who support the emerging organization.

Professors involved with the pre-architecture program, including Broucke, Christian A. Johnson Professor of Art Glenn Andres and Visiting Assistant Professor of Architecture Parker Croft.

Staff members involved with the various building projects on campus, including Project Manager of Facilities Planning Tom McGinn and Executive Vice President of Facilities Planning David Ginevan also make occasional appearances at the table.

Alumna Beth Eisenhower '03 also dropped by at last week's table.

Table topics vary by week, and have included discussions about campus art and architecture.

Usually an e-mail stating the agenda for the meeting is sent out to those who have expressed interest in architecture.

Table regulars who serve on other arts-related boards, like the Committee for Art in Public Places, have led discussions and received student feedback on campus art and architecture. The then-undetermined location of the Robert Indiana "Love" cube was the topic of one such debate.

McGinn and Ginevan have also talked to students at the table about the construction projects going on around campus. They have offered tours of the construction sites to architecture table participants.

Discussion topics can also include architecture in the news, because, as Architeture Table Chair Carl Larson '03.5 remarked, "Architecture is always changing. There really is something new to talk about every week."

For example, plans for the World Trade Center were an important and topical part of the discussions last year, and Broucke noted that occasionally students "bring in slides or works to discuss" specifically.

In addition to talking about architecture, attendees at the architecture table also discuss lectures or symposia they may have attended. Outside of its weekly meetings, the table brings speakers to campus and organizes trips.