The undergrad library at UMich was literally called the UGLi, and its appearance fit the name. Alas, they renovated and now it is much more visually pleasing. https://www.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/library-bicentennial/item/7681?exhibit=210&page=2693
The University of Chicago has one of the most impressive campuses anywhere, beautiful and gothic, with some nice modern additions around the edges - but that gigantic Brutalist main library smack dab in the middle is pretty jarring.
The conservatory at Oberlin made me want to run and hide. Not pretty although some sort of architectural standout designed by same person who did The World Trade Center.
D and I toured CMU on a football game day. Not only did we see the game and dozens of people watching it (well, maybe dozensâŠmaybe tensâŠhow many is a score? 20? Maybe a score) we also got to meet Scotty the Mascot. A person walking around in a full Scotty costume. He stopped and said hi to our way-too-large-canât-hear-anything tour group.
As a matter of fact, our tour group had more people than were in the stands watching the football game. By a lot.
I love that University of Chicago has so many libraries. On a couple of our tours, I was thinking to myself âwhere are their libraries??â or âjust 1 library??â or âdid they even mention a library?â That sort of alarmed me. Keep that in mind while touring because I think having multiple libraries, or even showing you a library on a tour, may be indicative of where the schoolâs allegiance lies.
The Sert designed law school tower at BU (circa 1965): the architect thought it would be a good idea to put two large lecture halls on the 15th floor!
To add more about dogs at CMU > when we were there for parent weekend, they had âstress dogsâ lined up along the walkways to relieve the overworked students. I eagerly hugged two giant mastiffs towards the end of the row. Then I was told by the bemused owner that he was just another parent there for the weekend â his behemoth dogs were NOT part of the therapy session.
I agree. Loved that at UW Madison we had scores of libraries. Every major dept had their own plus around 7 larger free-standing. Now due to the reduction in book usage they are looking to consolidate. Something will be lost. https://www.library.wisc.edu/about/administration/facilities-master-plan/
âNot sure if itâs true or legend, but an anecdote I remember from my campus tour back in the 80s!â
âThe 1950-60s was a tough architectural period, IMO, with all that Brutalist junk they threw up when lots of state colleges were expanding.â
I suspect the student protest explanation is urban/campus myth. More likely explanation is the unfortunate coincidence of (i) campus building boom in 50s/60s, (ii) brutalist was in vogue at such time, and (iii) brutalist buildings were comparatively cheap and fast to build.
Too bad that style has not aged well. Because those buildings are on campuses everywhere. Too funny that the one at UMich was called the UGLi.
Kinda funny that shade is being thrown on CMU for the Scotty Dog but not for itâs ugly architecture. From the brutalist Wean hall with itâs giant concrete fist/auditorium sticking out into the quad to the potato-chip-inspired Scaife Hall auditorium, and the aluminum-skinned Hunt Library there are plenty of targets. Possibly the worst offender is Margaret Morrison Hall with itâs infamous inscription in the rotunda âTo make and inspire the home; to lessen suffering and increase happiness; to aid mankind in its upward struggles; to ennoble and adorn lifeâs work, however humble; these are womanâs high prerogatives.â
@shortnuke . Surprised you left out Donner! I just drove through the CMU campus today. My husband is an alumni . He lived in Donner Hall in the 70âs (now called Donner House, but it doesnât make it any less ugly)!
@sevmom Youâre right! Donner completely slipped my mind. The funny thing is that I think Donner is one of the better traditional-style dorms for freshman. Itâs in a really great part of campus and the rooms themselves are decent sized with some nice views.
@sevmom â Donner Hall is ugly? Iâd be more concerned about whatâs on the menu at any parties there âŠ
This chaiin is super long. My least favorite schools were:
a) Macalester-- way too many insane parents on the tour
b) Conn Colelge0 felt way preppier than my kid
@nogddg D is an international. We lived in Buffalo, NY for several years. We are quite familiar with University at Buffalo (UB), which is nice. So how does UT Austin compare with UB?
She took a tour to USA in grade 8, visiting a dozen of schools on both western and eastern coasts, like Stanford, UCLA, UPenn, Columbia, Harvard, etc. But it does not relate to her targeted application schools. So we have little first-hand info on the schools she admitted. I am worried that she makes a final choice just based on her imagination and message spread among her peers. For example, Mount Holyoke is really a very nice school in my eyes (my judge is also based on info I collected), and even offers her some grant, but she has decided to cross it off.
@doschicos Thank you for your suggestion. Actually, I do open a separate thread. We would cordially appreciate if you and any parent can share more inputs regarding Dâs schools admitted.
Whatâs ironic about UMass-Amherst is that some of those awful ugly brutalist buildings have been deemed architecturally significantâsome of the best examples of that awful ugly style!!
All this talk about libraries and architecture reminded me that the UIUC undergrad library is LITERALLY a hole in the ground. https://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/history/
I could @shortnuke - and have - thrown shade at CMU for Donner, and really most of it. My Dâs stated reason for not applying was she hated the look of the place.
I was turned off by the info session and the âdonât bother applying if you think you canât afford it because our FA sucksâ message delivered therein.
The Scotty dog mascot and hardly-attended football game were just funny.
Throwing shade on WashU-the school has wonderful architecture and some nice statues. George Washington stands majestically in front of the Olin Library. A fierce bear statue near the stadium. And in the middle of campus, is that the Trix Rabbit? A malnourished bunny sitting on a rock. What the heck?
My son thought that the rabbit was sitting on a giant pile of dung when he saw it for the first time.
@shortnuke @OHMomof2 The funny thing about Donner is that some people actually think it looks good! Aaron Betsky, in a 1/17/18 article in Architect Magazine , âCarnegie Mellonâs Donner House and How to Build the Futureâ, calls it a " midcentury modern gem." I still think itâs pretty hideous but clearly Iâm missing something!