January 26, 2010

One of the greatest assets of any successful architect is the ability to communicate. Some people envision architects as solitary creatures, designing by the light of the moon. While this does happen, the actual execution from concept to conception requires architects to interact and engage with a wide gamut of people throughout the planning, design and construction phases.

For higher education projects, stakeholders can include, for starters, the administration, board of trustees, facilities, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and food services. Additionally the project team, including designers, engineers, consultants, construction managers and contractors, must communicate with each other.

Writer Amy Milshtein discusses this complexity and importance of engaging all parties in her article, "The Gang's All Here," in the December issue of College Planning and Management. Her sources include KSS partner David Zaiser, AIA, who talks about the value of getting input from the diverse parties involved.

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January 15, 2010

The Nov./Dec. issue of University Business features a great building tip from Nancy Truesdell, Lawrence University's vice president of student affairs, dean of students, and client/friend one of KSS. In the feature article "35 SMART Building Ideas" by UB's Melissa Ezarik and Ann McClure, Lawrence University is among the higher institutions that implemented creative strategies for building and construction in the difficult economy.

KSS worked closely with Truesdell and other Lawrence staff and faculty members on the recently opened Warch Campus Center, a $35 million project whose funding was raised before it began design and construction--and before the recession hit. As described in tip no. 8 in the article, the project team anticipated the Center's design and prime location on the campus's riverfront would make it an attractive venue for both the campus and surrounding communities. For this reason, among others, it has several venues available for rental by businesses or town residents; this potential outside revenue source became serendipitous for the University particularly with the current economy.

Truesdell also co-presented with KSS partners Allan Kehrt, FAIA, and Pamela Lucas Rew, AIA, at the SCUP-44 Annual conference in the presentation, "Coffee Cart of Cafe? Campus Center Decisions for Every Institution." Eileen Conran-Folks, executive assistant for External Affairs and the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, also presented.

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