The Michigan Daily-Thursday, September 6, 1979-Page F-5
'U,
architecture changes with the times
By AMY DIAMOND
On the southern edge of the Diag, an imposing
edifice dominates the landscape. Towering over
this archaic building is a modern skyscraper.
However, both of these are one in the same, the
Graduate Library.
Campus planners have chosen to combine the
old with the new with regards to the University's
architecture. The buildings scattered around
campus come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes,
forms, and architectural styles.
According to Campus Planner Frederick
Mayer, the University's method of combining
the old with the new was at first unintentional,
but has now become an accepted plan in the
design of University buildings. The scheme
allows "the evolution of architecture to be ex-
pressed," Mayer said. In other words, the ar-
chitecture is being allowed to change with the
times.
Newcomers to campus will quickly get to know
that no two University buildings are quite the
same. Each structure is accompanied by a
unique history and fascinating details which set
it apart from the others.
The Undergraduate Library was built in the
fifities, and although its nickname, "the UGLI,"
was originally used as an acronym, the name
well reflects both the drab exterior and interior
of the building.
Another building which was built in the 1950's
is the Literature, Science and Arts Building. This
orange brick structure, in which students pick up
their registration forms and pay their tuition
bills, looks better in the spring when the trees are
in bloom and the building is less noticable. In ad-
dition, if you time yourself by the clock at the.
top of the structure you may find yourself con-
sistently five minutes late for all your classes.
But these two buildings are exceptions-not all
of the University's buildings lack so much in ar-
chitectural character.
The Law Quad is one of the few complexes
which has been virtually unscathed by modern
technology. The Quad was built between 1923 and
1933, and is representative of collegiate gothic
architecture. The court, which is surrounded by
these old Ivy League-type structures is one of the
most beautiful places on campus.
Across from the Law Quad on South University
is the Presidents House, one of the oldest buildings
on campus. Constructed in 1840, the house has
been the home of nine University Presidents and
has undergone many changes, including the ad-
dition of a third floor. The Graduate Library
whichovershadows the white home gives a new
meaning to the term sore thumb.
Two of the newer buildings on campus are the
Dental Building and the Power Center. The
Power Center, although it is encased in what ap-
pears to be solar .reflectors, is not where the
University solar heating generators are housed.
But rather it derives its name from its benefac-
tors, Eugene and Phil Power. It is the Univer-
sity's newest facility for theater, dance, and
music.
The $17 million Dental Building is one of the
most expensive buildings on campus. The cour-
tyard of the "Dent" building is often used for
parties, ethnic dancing, and lovers' rendezvous.
One of the University's largest classroom
buildings is Angell Hall. The opposing architec-
tural styles of this building are similar to those of
the Graduate Library. Angell Hall is a cross
between a Greek coliseum and a modern office
building. The front of the building, which faces
State St., is adorned with Doric columns and
sculptured details, but the rear of the building
looks like it was glued on to make extra space for
classes.
The newer Modern Languages Build-
ing - almost always referred to as the
MLB-was built in 1970 at a cost of $6 million. It's
uniqueness is evident in the strange shape of the
building.
The MLB contains four large auditoriums
where many of the crowded lecture classes take
place. The building is doughnut shaped which
makes finding classrooms difficult since no mat
ter which outside door is used, the desired
classroom will likely be on the opposite side.
Adjacent to the MLB is the skyline-dominating
Burton Tower. Besides giving the most accurate
time on campus, the structure is equipped with a
carillon. The unique instrument consisting of
bells provides delightfully distracting chimes on
the quarter hour as well as other music at
irregular intervals. The carillon is also respon-
sible for the nickname that has been attached to
the edifice, the Bell Tower.
Finally, a word of warning, to University
newcomers. As pleasant as the Law Quad may
be, don't try cutting through it as a short cut to;
the Old A & D building. The infamous pit, which
is eventually to become an underground library
addition, contains the remains of many a lost
freshperson.
University architecture reflects the
162-year development of the University
itself. Styles range from the classic
columns of Angell Hall (left) to the
angular design of the much newer
Modern Languages Building (right).
There is not such a wide range of styles
on North Campus, where most of the
buildings have been built in the last two
decades. The glass-enclosed home of
the School of Art and the School of Ar-
chitecture and Urban Planning (below)
replaced the Old A&D Building which is
now used for CRISP headquarters as
well as for classes.
Daily Photo by JIM KRUZ
-ArrowE
0 9
r $4x 4 $
32 2
Slimmer lapels, narrower ties . .. the short collar
returns! Fashion highlights of years ago captured in
Arrow Brigade, proving that a touch of the past can
work beautifully in the present. Note the narrow,
Daily Photo by JIM KRUZ
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