Assumption 5: Krasnow is unique
Assumption 5: Krasnow is unique
We have already noted that Krasnow’s Interdisciplinary composition renders it unique as a body of assembled people. In addition, Krasnow is a unique building. It stands in contrast to the rest of the university (largely because it was originally built as a private institution and therefore wasn’t bound by strict university regulations).
When I go to the Krasnow website (www.krasnow.gmu.edu), I am greeted by a photo of the Great Room. For many (including myself), this is the first impression of Krasnow. I think featuring the Great Room here is the right move. While I am sensitive to the concerns of both sides in the “Great Room debate”, I do believe that the Great Room is Krasnow’s “gem”; it is what makes Krasnow a unique building.
When I go to the websites of other cognitive and neuroscience university labs, this is what I find: lots of illustrations of the brain, images of brain scans, a picture of a man from a historical era, a neuron, some monkeys, some home pages lacking images altogether, and some sites that also feature architecture (e.g. the Salk Institute).
(I realize that you might be thinking, how typical of an architect to suggest that
architecture - and not the science taking place within – be the promotion piece for Krasnow. Hear me out on this one … )
One of you* commented to me that the Great Room is for Krasnow what the “tower” element is to George Mason’s Research 1 building. Research 1’s “tower” is a utilitarian element (housing an observatory) and meets programmatic requirements, but also it acts as a symbol for what is taking place within. Few scientific institutions have a material space to structure the metaphor of what takes place within. Images like the ones found on Krasnow’s or the Salk Institute’s website are very specific, meaningful, sensory and UNIQUE characterizations of place versus a generic image (i.e. “the brain”). It evocatively demarcates “this is a premiere research institution” in a way that historical “names” (e.g. “Home of Nobel Prize Winner John Doe”), although also specific, cannot.
The material qualities of the Great Room become symbolic not only of the science taking place within, but also of the open and interdisciplinary culture of the Krasnow community:
- It represents grand ideas/visions (glass and volume)
- The transparent, airy and spacious box implies “Thinking outside the box”
- It is awe-inspiring. Visitors are often silenced when entering the space because of the acoustics and high ceilings.
- It suggests there is good research taking place here that someone gave funding for such a quality space. It connotes respect.
- It presents an element of surprise not anticipated from the humble, single story entrance. The sloped site allows the floor to drop and achieve a grand two-story space.
- It provides a neutral, community space unencumbered by the hardware of the science for the “meeting of the minds”. It presents an opportunity for coziness (especially if the hearth is used)
- It is a major source of natural light: “enlightening”
- It achieves a sense of nature and beauty as contrasted to the sterile, “hands off”, at times “dungeon-esque”, qualities of many research labs.
Implications of the “Great Room as a unique symbol” with respect to construction and new addition(s):
- We don’t want to put up an institutional building next to a nice architectural building
- It should remain the “center” of the institute, physically and socially/culturally.
I know the Great Room is a controversial topic, and I welcome comments presenting the opposite argument.
* In the interest of maintaining anonymity, I have not mentioned names; however, I also want to give credit where it is due – the majority of the great insights in this posting are the intellectual property of one of your own. Thank you!
posted by Meredith Banasiak, ANFA @ 4:52 PM
1 Comments:
Speaking of "light," Krasnow is remarkable in the amount of natural light found within it. The contrast is stark to my every-day job in a drab windowless fluorescent lit room. The Krasnow lab I work in has two walls covered with windows. One of the many reasons I look forward to coming to Krasnow is to be immersed in sunlight.
Post a Comment
<< Home