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 Rohe’s iconic Barcelona chair has been rendered out of the official rendering of Milstein’s glass elevator, replaced with a plain vanilla chair.

On the other hand, why one even needs this glass elevator in a two-story building remains unclear: Milstein will be physically connected to two adjacent buildings, both with elevators, so that ADA-mandated access is already available. Can it be that architecture students require the constant stimulation provided by such mechanical contrivances in order to be properly initiated into the wacky world of high design?

Milstein 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 crisis. I personally admire the design of this building, but recognize that this is a subjective judgment which may need to be tempered by more objective analysis. I also acknowledge that placing this project “on hold,” or canceling it entirely, may or may not be catastrophic for the department of architecture, depending on how Cornell responds.

In terms of an objective analysis of the Milstein Hall project, I seek to address several misrepresentations about the building that have been advanced by Cornell:

1. That the project is necessary for the continued accreditation of the department of architecture;

2. That the project “connects” the various programs of the College;

3. That the project is a sustainable building;

4. That the project takes appropriate consideration of the Landmark status of Sibley Hall and the Foundry; and

5. That the project provides flexible space for the college and university.

These concerns are addressed more thoroughly in this memo.