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University of Cincinnati Master Plan: Redesigning Living and Learning

headshot of M.B. Reilly By M.B. Reilly (513) 556-1824
9 minute read April 26, 2006

The University of Cincinnati set its Master Plan in motion in 1989 to transform an architecturally frenetic campus into an integrated whole studded with masterpieces of design.

Realizing the vision of the plan has meant uprooting parking-lot pavement in favor of open green spaces on a pedestrian-friendly campus. It’s meant the rise of premier academic and research facilities.

Throughout the development of the plan, the world has taken note. Books – as well as countless newspaper and magazine articles – have chronicled and praised the university’s efforts as a model to follow. Most recently, in early 2006, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Architecture magazine have all covered aspects of UC’s Master Plan.

  • The Los Angeles Times opined: “…the university [has] one of the most impressive collections of contemporary architecture on any American campus” and one that “Architecture students will be studying…30 years from now.”

  • The Chicago Tribune: “The spectacular revamp is one of the most significant acts of campus planning since Thomas Jefferson laid out his ‘academic village’ at the University of Virginia…”

  • The Plain Dealer: UC shows “that Ohio universities can aspire to architectural achievements of international significance.”

The Master Plan is the move of a century for the university to integrate a once concrete campus into a cohesive whole built on the human scale. Overseeing the entire process is Boston designer George Hargreaves of Hargreaves Associates.  Architects who have contributed to the plan and to the university campus have included Peter Eisenman, Michael Graves, Frank Gehry, Thom Mayne, Henry Cobb, Charles Gwathmey, Buzz Yudell, David Childs and others.  

Following is a timeline of individual projects – all part of the UC Master Plan.

  • Completed building projects
  • The “MainStreet” projects
  • Completed green space projects
  • Projects yet to come


COMPLETED BUILDING PROJECTS

1.
Vera Clement Edwards Center, 1992
Designed by David Childs, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, in collaboration with local firm, glaserworks.

2.
Engineering Research Center, 1995
Designed by Michael Graves in collaboration with local firm KZF Design, Inc. For more on the project, check out

3.
Library Plaza, 1995
Designed by George Hargreaves and Mary Margaret Jones, Hargreaves Associates. For more on the project, check out

4.
Aronoff Center for Design and Art, 1996
Addition to UC’s top-ranked College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.
Designed by Peter Eisenman in collaboration with Lorenz & Williams of Dayton, Ohio. For more on the project, check out

5.
French Hall addition, 1996
Designed by Wilson Associates and NBBJ Architects.

6.
Cardiovascular Research Center, 1997
Designed by Baxter Hodell Donnelly Preston, Inc.

7.
College-Conservatory of Music, 1999
Designed by Henry Cobb of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in collaboration with local architects, NBBJ Architects. For more on the project, check out

8.
Albert H. Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, 1999
Designed by Frank Gehry in collaboration with local firm, Baxter Hodell Donnelly Preston, Inc. For more information, check out

9.
University Hall, 1999
Designed by VOA Associates in collaboration with BHDP Architects (formerly Baxter Hodell Donnelly Preston, Inc.).

10.
Kingsgate Conference Center, 1999
Designed by VOA Associates in collaboration with local firm, BHDP Architects.

11.
Hastings and William French Building renovation, 1999
Renovation by SFA Architects.

12.
Science and Allied Health Building, 1999 (located on Raymond Walters College branch campus)
Designed by BHDP Architecture.  

13.
Eden Avenue Garage addition, 1999
Designed by KZF Design, Inc.

14.
Educational Services Building, 2000
Student Services Building, 2000 (both located on Clermont College brand campus)
Designed ATA Architects.

15.
Braunstein Hall renovation, 2001
Renovation by Champlin Haupt. For more on the project, check out

16.
Jefferson Residence Hall Complex, 2002
Designed by KZF Design, Inc. For more on the project, check out

17.
University Pavilion, 2003
Designed by Leers Weinzapfel Associates in collaboration with local firm, GBBN Architects. For more on the project, check out

18.
Central Utility Plant, 2004
Designed by Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc. For more on the project, check out

19.
College of Applied Science auditorium/classroom building, 2004
Designed by Burgess & Niple

20.
Marge Schott Stadium, 2004
Designed by glaserworks. For more on the project, check out

21.
Gettler Stadium, 2004
Designed by glaserworks. For more on the project, check out

22.
Calhoun Street garage, 2005
Designed by VOA Associates in collaboration with THP Associates. For more on the project, check out

23.
Veterinary Technology Center, 2005 (located on Raymond Walters College branch campus)
Designed by the UC Office of the University Architect, Renovations Dept. For more on the project, check out

24.
Van Wormer Library renovation, 2006
Designed by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners in collaboration with Lorenz & Williams of Dayton, Ohio. For more on the project, check out

 

COMPLETED “MAINSTREET PROECTS”

1.
Tangeman University Center, 2004
Designed by Charles Gwathmey, Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects, in collaboration with local firm, GBBN Architects. For more on the project, check out

2.
Joseph A. Steger Student Life Center, 2004
Designed by Buzz Yudell, Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners, in collaboration with local firm, glaserworks. For more on the project,  check out

3.
Campus Recreation Center, 2006
Designed by Thom Mayne, Morphosis, in collaboration with local firm, KZF Design, Inc. For more on the project, check out


COMPLETED GREENSCAPE PROJECTS

1.
McMicken Commons, 1990
Designed by George Hargreaves, Hargreaves Associates. For more on the project, check out

  • See a video from UC's campus tour.
  • See information and images on Hargreaves Associates' site.

2.
Sigma Sigma Commons, 1998
Designed by George Hargreaves and Mary Margaret Jones, Hargreaves Associates
Light tower designed by Machado & Silvetti. For more on the project, check out

  • Information and images from Hargreaves Associates' site.
  • See video from UC's campus tour.

3.
Campus Green, 2000
Designed by George Hargreaves, Hargreaves Associates. For more on the project, check out

4.
University Commons, 2000
Designed by George Hargreaves, Hargreaves Associates. For more on the project,  check out

  • Information and images on Hargreaves Associates' site.

5.
Mews Gardens, 2004
Designed by Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners.

6.
MainStreet open space, 2004
Designed by George Hargreaves, Hargreaves Associates, in collaboration with local firm, glaserworks.

 

UPCOMING CAMPUS PROJECTS

1.
Richard E. Lindner Varsity Village project, May 2006
Designed by Bernard Tschumi of Bernard Tschumi Architects and by local firm: glaserworks.

2.
Medical Sciences Building renovation/CARE-Crawley addition 
One part to be completed in 2007, remainder to be completed in 2012
Designed by STUDIOS Architecture, Inc., of San Francisco, in collaboration with local firm, HarleyEllis. For more on the project, check out

3.
Eden Quad greenspace, late 2007
Designed by George Hargreaves, Hargreaves Associates, in collaboration with HarleyEllis

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