Invoking his first impression as a “really, really, ugly” epitaph for the Statesman Towers, I was surprised to hear Dan Bradley, delivering his fall address to ISU, utilize aesthetics to condemn the structures, or spin his personal critique amongst more objective factors. A more fitting eulogy would be that the modern style towers are no longer in an optimum location for housing, which is their highest and best use.
Terre Haute has known that the two towers would be razed since December 2001 when the college Board of Trustees approved its recommendation. Factors beyond aesthetics included floor plates uniquely tailored to housing — too small to be efficiently adapted to office floors or other academic use. Designed in 1966 when energy costs were not yet important to clients, energy upgrades could be accomplished, but the original use and height of the structures apparently no longer fits new campus planning directions.
History will remember The Statesman Towers as the brainchild of ISU’s most productive and award-winning campus planning team, Alan Rankin and Ewing Miller. Make no mistake, the combined vision of this former ISU president and nationally acclaimed architect, as a team, crowned ISU planning and campus architecture during ISU’s most expansive building era, with at least a dozen of their projects still standing proud.
Architecture, just like art and sculpture, is often designed to break tradition and demand comment. ISU’s dorm tower projects are among our best Midwestern examples of a controversial national “architectonic” movement in architecture called “Brutalism”, a style of brutally expressive modernism. Expressing the innovative slip-core concrete structure and the plasticity of the pre-cast skin, the Statesman Towers won awards for innovation and design concept.
The Statesman Towers, originally designed as male dorms, have facades with bolder masculine modeling, while the Sycamore Towers, first designed for just women, sport a more feminine architectonic pre-cast skin — in the words of its designers “with softer and more flowing plasticity.” The Cunningham Library, of the same period, is also outstanding for its horizontal one-story architectonic design and adaptive “form follows function” layout. The epitome of a pragmatic approach to planning and design.
Together, this group of buildings served ISU’s wishes and specific client needs. The Board of Trustees wanted buildings that would bring attention to the Wabash Valley and ISU specifically opted for high-rise structures. ISU and our community were thrilled with the resulting visual impact and statement of prominence. In the words of Ewing H. Miller II, AIA, the architecture was: “handsomely expressive of an era … with a spirit to it that transcends the sort of mundane box with a series of holes.”
Inside the box, this same design team won awards for listening to what both administrators and students wanted. Furnishings were loose and students could finally arrange their own rooms. From programming to move-in the project took three years and just before opening, the housing was allowed to be co-ed.
For some curious reason ISU’s new president felt that the demolition of the Statesman Towers should be included in his 2012 annual address. It is not new news, important news, or newsworthy of a feature editorial. I suspect that Dan was not just exploring how to elicit applause with the simple intonation of his voice, but he was also testing the word “demolish” in front of a large public gathering — posturing for the role that he may ultimately be remembered: demolishing five historic buildings on the 500 Block of Wabash. Sadly, other sites exist which would not demolish outstanding National Register facades.
Historic buildings on Wabash, The National Road, do not deserve demolition, regardless of anyone’s first impressions or any current collegiate needs. They were built to last, in an era when architecture and art were truly synonymous. Unlike the Statesman Towers, the historic buildings on Wabash have not outlived their original purpose or location. Instead, they are highly adaptable to new energy retrofit and will be highly desirable if outfitted as unique storefront retail with upper floor lofts.
Downtown’s classic architecture, its authentic streetscape fabric from The Gilded Age, is what always has, and still can physically and subconsciously distinguish our city’s prominence and regional stature to both visitors and stakeholders. The obvious revitalization potential of the 500 Block should easily trump any total redevelopment notions, and future ISU presidents would never have to speak in public about regrets.
— Ben Orman AIA
Terre Haute
Opinion
FLASHPOINT: No mistake about Statesman Towers
- Opinion
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RONN MOTT: Why Syria?
Russia is making a lot of noise in favor of Syria. They are supplying Assad’s army with more armaments and basic things such as ammunition and such.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Another beloved dog goes to heaven
We are short one granddog. This past week, “Indy” could no longer use her back legs and she went to that great dog kennel in the hereafter.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 18, 2013
• Beware those who follow Ayn Rand
• Poor excuse for gas price hikes
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MAX JONES: For loyal readers, a bit of news from the T-S newsroom
As journalists toiling to create a content-rich, relevant and compelling community newspaper each day, we feel a special bond with our legions of readers across the Wabash Valley and beyond.
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GUEST COLUMN: One Million Bones exhibit meant to raise awareness, inspire action to end genocide
The National Mall: A grassy corridor in Washington, D.C., lined with America’s greatest museums and monuments.
Ending at the U.S. Capitol building, it is a symbol of our belief in the power and greatness of America. Last weekend, we turned it into a mass grave.
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EDITORIAL: Insisting on ISTEP quality lawmakers’ primary duty
Now that everyone, on both sides of the aisle, seems backslappingly happy to agree that this spring’s ISTEP school testing debacle was unacceptable, that at least some of the results lack credibility and that the issue carries high-stakes significance, what next?
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The Obama Debate: Is he a liar or incompetent?
I read the letters on the opinion page daily and I find an unusual silence from your liberal progressive contributors lately. Could it be because they don’t have anything to expound upon? Well, maybe I can give them some material.
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A Fathers Day Tribute: Transition — from child to father
Transition seems like a big word to use as his story unfolds. Transition was probably never used in conjunction with speech, his speech, but it demonstrates his life, as it does in many lives lived in his generation.
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READERS' FORUM: June 16, 2013
Horrible crime cries out for stern justice
Confused about groups’ merger
Global warming fraud exposed
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The Obama Debate: President has served us well
I have not heard a positive thing by those in this area about this president since his 2008 election and 2009 inauguration. Why this manifestation, I just can’t understand.
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RONN MOTT: Not hurried a bit by 21st century tech
Unlike so many of you, I do not get up in the morning and run to turn on my computer. In fact, if you need to reach me in a hurry, I would say that 19th century invention of Alexander Bell’s would be the best way. If you do email me or use some other electronic convenience, better give it a couple of days because I am not in that big of a hurry.
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READERS' FORUM: June 15, 2013
America needs another hero
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EDITORIAL: And now we wait for justice
It is a word we would rather never have on our front page — homicide. That we had to use it twice on Wednesday’s front page is sad, but unavoidable.
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READERS' FORUM: June 14, 2013
Mott statements contradict history
Display the flag
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RONN MOTT: Kill the Umpire!
I don’t know who appointed Major League Baseball’s umpires “Gods,” but if they have been appointed “Gods,” they have appointed people who cannot see or think very well.
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READERS' FORUM: June 13, 2013
Bad odor from gas prices
Build personal library
Morning after? No worries
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EDITORIAL: Remembering Sister Jeanne
Terre Haute is mourning the loss this week of an accomplished and beloved community activist and leader whose life’s work is an inspiration to all who strive to serve.
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EDITORIAL: Embrace the value of traffic planning
Never underestimate the value of a good plan to deal with a crisis, large or small, even if the final analysis of the management of a specific crisis is, “It could have been worse.”
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READERS' FORUM: June 12, 2013
Like it or not, change coming
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RONN MOTT: What’s happening?
I know I may have looked at these situations differently when I was in my twenties. The world, my life, my career, and the growth of my family all lay ahead of me. So perhaps now, many years later, I see it differently.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 11, 2013
• Great support for local cause
• Another idea on housing issue
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LIZ CIANCONE: Withdrawn society not very social any more
My Best Friend and I went out for lunch the other day. It was a sit-down place with our own “server” (in my day I was called “a waitress”) and everything offering personal attention. The manager even came over to ask if everything was all right.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 10, 2013
• What is the cost of our austerity?
• Vintage campers to gather at rally
• Seek a healthy food alternative
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EDITORIAL: It’s time to assess ISTEP
Later this month, the company behind this spring’s abysmal online administration of ISTEP testing for 27,000 Hoosier schoolchildren is being called to the principal’s office.
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Readers’ Forum: June 9, 2013
• Taking time to help the world
• Reform by politics will not improve education
• Questions from a wondering mind
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FLASHPOINT: Storm chasers must heed warnings, remember why we chase storms
The tragic death of noted weather researcher and former Discovery Channel storm chaser Tim Samaras has shaken all of us in the meteorological community.
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Will you be happy if you win the lottery?
A Psychology Today article titled “What Will You Do if You Win the $550 Million Powerball Lottery?” caught my attention. Helping lottery winners with their money is my long-time gig.
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RONN MOTT: The ‘wilds’ of Collett Park
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EDITORIAL: Fix fraud, don’t punish needy
Waste and fraud in government programs should be rooted out vigilantly. Legislation should fix a problem with a fitting solution, not punish the needy.
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READERS' FORUM: June 7, 2013
Thanks to those who helped VYFL
- More Opinion Headlines
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Robot Action Connected to Human Thought
Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
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California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
Falling Cable Hurts 10 NASCAR Fans
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Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
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Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Today in History June 18
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Spurs' Popovich shows great frustration at post game presser
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
