Gould Hall renovation - OU main campus

[FromTtown]

Here are a couple of pictures of Gould Hall's current state of renovation.





I took these recently from the asp ave parking structure. I was a former OU architecture student, and am certainly glad to see it given due process. That building is stripped bare, but its structure seems to be in a suprisingly well state. I wonder how close to their original plans they are.

[Guy Noir]

Here are a couple of pictures of Gould Hall's current state of renovation.

I can't see the links or images...maybe this will help

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.7a090a00ac.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.29d894ef7c.jpg

[Pete]

Thanks so much for the update!

I had seen all the renderings but didn't realize they were under construction.

Will be a huge improvement to the South Oval.

[Martin]

oh man... i'm so happy to see this!

gould hall was definitely the least attractive building on campus, imo. -M

[Pete]

Looking at those photos, it makes you wonder why they didn't just demolish the whole place and start from scratch, as they are keeping only a shell of two of the wings.

[Martin]

from what i understand, the college of architecture hopes to use the building itself as a teaching tool... in that vein, i think the college is probably making a statement about sustainability in choosing to integrate existing structures into the new design.

-M

[Nuclear_2525]

or they claim they just didn't have enough money to do it all...32 million if I remember right

[JIMBO]

By the end of next week, there should be about 80 ft of basement wall poured.

[soonerliberal]

I believe the reason for keeping some of the walls was so that they could consider it a "renovation" rather than demolition and reconstruction for tax purposes.

[Martin]

tax purposes? as a public institution wouldn't they be pretty much exempt? -M

[FromTtown]

Personally, I would have bulldozed it and started from the ground up if I were in charge, but alas, I am not in charge. I have taken a whole bunch of pictures over time, and there are more that someone else has put online here:

Division of Architecture at The University of Oklahoma

Renderings and plans can be seen here:

Division of Architecture at The University of Oklahoma

Most of the info I'm seeing says that it's $27 million, but it may very well be up to $32 mil by now. I don't know about about tax purposes, but I do remember something about the learning tool element of it. The details escape me now but I believe that they have abandoned that idea. Anyway, as I said earlier just by looking at it you can tell the skeleton of the building is actually in pretty good shape. Perhaps they knew that and that was their reason for keeping the shell among other things. It is mostly steel framing with some concrete hybrid beams in certain areas (My time as a student led me to believe it was a concrete frame). That building is absolutely bare at this point. It appears they will be getting rid of all existing glazing, but they seem to be preserving the brick bands below the windows. I don't know what will become of these. And indeed it appears they are very close to ready to pour the foundation walls for the new front wing. The footings and piers are in place, and elevator pits are visible on both sides of the excavation. It is pretty neat to see that building in its present nude state, and I am glad that it is getting its much needed update.

[Andrew4OU]

The new wing of Gaylord is just about 99% completed. I think all that's left is furniture and a few fixings.

[bluedogok]

I believe the reason for keeping some of the walls was so that they could consider it a "renovation" rather than demolition and reconstruction for tax purposes.

tax purposes? as a public institution wouldn't they be pretty much exempt? -M

It has to do with how the money is allocated by whatever gov't entity, there are new building funds and "renovation" funds. Evidently the Gould Hall funding came out of a "renovation" budget.

[Martin]

^
i'll buy that. thanks for the clarification. -M

[Pete]

Has the new swim complex (by Huston Huffman) started construction yet?

[Superhyper]

Has the new swim complex (by Huston Huffman) started construction yet?

No, I do believe it's currently on hold because of budget issues.

OUDaily.com | Pres. Boren says university has policies in place to cut costs during recession

"The move has delayed several construction projects that have been underway for years, including the new aquatics complex and a new building for the School of Social Work. Boren said it could be another year or two before construction starts, even though the projects have been approved by the OU Board of Regents and private fundraising has begun."

[BG918]

No, I do believe it's currently on hold because of budget issues.

OUDaily.com | Pres. Boren says university has policies in place to cut costs during recession

"The move has delayed several construction projects that have been underway for years, including the new aquatics complex and a new building for the School of Social Work. Boren said it could be another year or two before construction starts, even though the projects have been approved by the OU Board of Regents and private fundraising has begun."

The School of Social Work just received a $5 million donation from the Zarrow family of Tulsa for their new building and various programs, so I imagine we'll see that project progressing. It will be located where the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center is now, which is moving to a new location south of the dorms. They will be tearing down the existing Jim Thorpe building and Rhyne Hall once the new Social Work building is finished.

In addition to Gould Hall you have Collings Hall undergoing renovation/expansion and the two new engineering buildings finishing this summer. The expansion of the art museum is also supposed to begin this summer.

[Nuclear_2525]

BG, any renderings of the new art museum expansion?

[BG918]

BG, any renderings of the new art museum expansion?

This is all I could find showing the new second floor addition with rooftop sculpture garden (Weitzenhoffer wing to the left, Jones Hall/School of Art to the right):

[BrockLanders]

No, I do believe it's currently on hold because of budget issues.

OUDaily.com | Pres. Boren says university has policies in place to cut costs during recession

"The move has delayed several construction projects that have been underway for years, including the new aquatics complex and a new building for the School of Social Work. Boren said it could be another year or two before construction starts, even though the projects have been approved by the OU Board of Regents and private fundraising has begun."

I thought the aquatics complex was pretty much all funded by a private donor? That's what we were told by those trying to get it approved.

[okyeah]

Here's the school of social work from OUdaily

[Pete]

BTW, that new school of social work is going on the site of a long-standing building on the SW corner of Elm & Brooks.

I know it's been neglected for a while, but I still hate to see it go:

[BG918]

BTW, that new school of social work is going on the site of a long-standing building on the SW corner of Elm & Brooks.

I know it's been neglected for a while, but I still hate to see it go:

How did you get that bird's eye image? I use maps.live.com but you can't save or print bird's eye views.

Will this new building front Elm with parking entirely on the west side or take up the footprint of the existing building?

[okyeah]

The School of Social Work just received a $5 million donation from the Zarrow family of Tulsa for their new building and various programs, so I imagine we'll see that project progressing. It will be located where the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center is now, which is moving to a new location south of the dorms. They will be tearing down the existing Jim Thorpe building and Rhyne Hall once the new Social Work building is finished.

In addition to Gould Hall you have Collings Hall undergoing renovation/expansion and the two new engineering buildings finishing this summer. The expansion of the art museum is also supposed to begin this summer.

why are they demolishing Rhyne Hall?

[FromTtown]

Just a follow up to show them readying for construction...



You can see the aforementioned foundation forms in place, and studwork beginning on the first floor. The far south wing is now almost completely gutted inside out, meaning that demolition is almost complete. It is fascinating to watch as a new shell emerges.