In reflecting on our recent trip to 41 Cooper Square, the contemporary academic building at Cooper Union, I found my mind turning to the the Washington Post Weingarten article, Pearls Before Breakfast, where wealthy, celebrated violinist Joshua Bell plays a multi-million dollar instrument in the subway while working people walk past him on their way to their jobs.
They just didn't appreciate great music!
It was exciting to have the opportunity to tour the
building described by our tour guide as
a vertical campus, with different disciplines stacked one on top of each other.
The center of the building is a large, open, sculptural staircase intended to
serve as a commons, allowing people to interact and sit.
Hmmm, a campus?
Knowing the limitations and confinements of working within
FIT’s campus and feeling the “green” envy of other institutions that have more light,
trees, lawns, and generally more space, I immediately wondered about the
experience of the students at Cooper Union. What is it like to go to school in
that building? (We were there on Good Friday, so things were quiet.)
When I was at Pratt we had a campus that had a number of
different options where one could go to find a comfortable spot, or some
activity, or something to eat. I wonder what kind of options these students
have, particularly regarding finding a comfortable spot. Do they like to sit on
the stairs? Maybe they do. I hope so!
I hope so, because legal concerns prevent them from sitting on the
balcony. How sad, 115 million dollars, and there wasn’t money to think that
through so that it could be designed and managed in a way that would give
students access to the outdoors.
But, do they have a campus?
We asked our guide about how he used the building and he said he does not spend time in it. The costs are highly controversial among students as the college is now considering charging tuition, something it has never done.
One student even played a clever hoax
Some kids just don't appreciate good architecture!
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