When the doors to the College of Design opened in 1978, nearly 2,000 students spent their days (and nights) in the new facility although it was designed for only 1,600. Since then, many areas have been remodeled and upgraded to maintain a high-quality learning environment and make the best use of limited space, while student enrollments continue to exceed capacity.

 

We now have adapted virtually every inch of available space for practical use. Since 1990, in fact, nearly 600 freshmen have spent their studio time in the deteriorating Armory building because there simply isn't room in the college itself. Desiring to serve all students better under one roof, the College of Design began a private fund-raising campaign to support construction of a building addition.

 

The Foundations Pavilion addition will be located on the north side of the existing college building and will feature a central, two-story "forum" surrounded by instructional studios on all sides. The 23,500-gross-square-foot project also includes break-out lecture and critique spaces, enhanced model work room and shop, recycling center and spray room. The space will be home primarily to freshman students in the college's Core Design Program as well as sophomore students in the first year of their professional programs.

The first new "green" structure on the Iowa State University campus, the addition will use energy-saving techniques, such as natural ventilation, daylighting, storm-water control with a "living" roof, unique site design and recycled building materials. When completed, the new facility will not only accommodate the community of all beginning design students; the pavilion and surrounding gardens will provide a living laboratory for the study of sustainable design practices and help establish the principles of environmental stewardship within the collegiate and university culture.