I’ve just posted the first of a series of informal “construction” videos showing how Paul Milstein Hall (OMA/Rem Koolhaas) at Cornell University is being built. The homepage for the anticipated video series is here. Ultimately, I hope to add additional short videos dealing in turn with substructure, superstructure, and enclosure systems.
The first video, “Getting Ready,” [...]
Archive for the 'Milstein Hall' Category
Construction of Milstein Hall
14Aug10Cornell’s Fine Arts Library
05Jul10It is often necessary to anticipate future developments and trends in order to make recommendations for the renovation of building space or the construction of new space. Paul Milstein Hall at Cornell University (Rem Koolhaas, OMA architects) is an example of new construction resulting from an analysis of spatial needs. It is also an example [...]
water in rand hall
11Aug09While Milstein Hall construction has begun, Rand Hall (which will be connected to Milstein Hall, and which will contain mechanical equipment for Milstein Hall) is suffering from neglect. Storm water from two recent rains has backed up in the roof drain pipes and discharged through an eye wash fixture on the second floor, as can [...]
In a stunning, though entirely symbolic, concession to economic pragmatism or, more likely, to mitigate Milstein Hall’s apparent extravagance and elitist sensibility at a time when workers are being laid off and faculty salaries are frozen, Cornell has eliminated the symbolic centerpiece of Rem Koolhaas’s design for its new architecture building: Ludwig Mies van der [...]
In 2007, I wrote to Peter Turner, Assistant Dean for Administration of the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) at Cornell, urging him to take action on two issues affecting the major lecture room in Sibley Hall, room 157. First, the construction of OMA’s Milstein Hall (Rem Koolhaas, architect) would eliminate natural ventilation, making [...]
thoughts on milstein hall
11Feb09Milstein Hall is a proposed addition to the existing architecture facilities at Cornell University, designed by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (Rem Koolhaas). At the time of this writing, a building permit has been obtained, but there have been doubts raised about the propriety of going ahead with construction in light of the university’s financial [...]
more on milstein code issues
26Jan09This continues a discussion that started with my blog entry from 17 December 2008, and then continued with entries on January 15, 16, and 21, 2009. Can Milstein Hall be changed in the future to accommodate library or lecture hall occupancies? City of Ithaca Senior Code Inspector John Shipe responded to my previous email as [...]
milstein code issues (continued)
21Jan09I received another email today from John Shipe of the City of Ithaca Building Department relating to my concerns about the “flexibility” of Milstein Hall to accommodate future changes. See posts from Jan. 15, 2009 and Jan. 16, 2009 to see how the conversation started.
John Shipe wrote:
The building is being built as an A-3/ B [...]
milstein: the debate continues…
16Jan09I emailed a copy of the Milstein post dated 15 January 2009 to John Shipe, Senior Code Inspector for the City of Ithaca Building Department. Mr. Shipe responded to me (and others) via email today: I reprint his email, followed by my email reply.
John Shipe wrote:
You are incorrect that you will not be able to [...]
more on Milstein
15Jan09Once Milstein Hall gets a certificate of occupancy, it becomes an “existing building” and therefore becomes subject to the current building code (the Existing Buiding Code of New York State) when and if any future alterations are proposed.
I believe that certain ideas for future alterations, for example, putting some or all of the Fine Arts [...]
Recent Comments