Vital Signs Project:

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

ART AND ARCHITECTURE SOUTH STUDIO
Moscow, Idaho

Prepared by Doug McLachlan and Ryan Bruce, University of Idaho

Background


Art and Architecture South Building North Elevation

Building History

Moscow, Idaho, located in northern Idaho is home of the University of Idaho founded in 1892. Moscow experiences a moderate climate with an average temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit in January and an average temperature of 66 degrees Fahrenheit in July.

The present Art and Architecture South building, one of two studio buildings for the Department of Art and Architecture, was built in 1904 by Boise architect, J.E. Tourtellotte as the University's first gymnasium. After another gymnasium and the Kibbie Dome stadium were built, interior bearing walls and another floor were added to the old gymnasium to create two floors of studio space for the Architecture program. The building still contains the original masonry and brick walls, single pane wood frame windows, large wood trusses with steel struts, and hardwood floor.

We have chosen to study the third floor of this renovated building which is currently used by forty students for their studio work space and remains occupied from September through May. The peak hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., however students come and go all hours of the night as the building remains open 24 hours.

Significance

The preservation and continued use of this building is important for the University as a major part of the history of the campus. It also leaves an architectural legacy for the campus which is experiencing a great deal of new construction. This project had particular meaning to us as we had both spent long hours working in this space and understood the need for improvements. Two factors played crucial roles in seeing this project through. One was the number of new students that will pass through this building on their way to a diploma and the hours they will spend in this building. The second was the lack of funding the university receives for improvement to this facility. Realizing both of these issues, arriving at a cost effective alternative to improve the space was important to this project.

Thanks

We would like to thank our professor Bruce Haglund, the third and fourth year students, Chris Dillard for placing our HOBO in the refrigerator for a day and all the little people that made this possible.

Comments to author: bruc9271@uidaho.edu