Date of Defense

5-19-2006

Department

Civil and Construction Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Osama Abudayyeh

Second Advisor

Dr. Sherif Yehia

Third Advisor

Dr. Ahmad Jrade

Abstract

The Richmond Center for Visual Arts (RCVA), located on Western Michigan University's main campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan, will be constructed on the Fountain Plaza between the Dalton Center and the Miller Auditorium parking ramp. The complex will also connect both of these pre-existing structures as well as Kohrman Hall. See Figure PD-1 for an aerial view of this location. The entire project is broken into phases requiring fast track planning and scheduling. The first phase, our focus, is the site preparation and construction of the RCVA building shell and the aforementioned connectors to Kohrman Hall, the Dalton Center, and the Miller Auditorium parking structure. Subsequen tphases will include the renovation of Kohrman Hall to house studio space and classrooms for the School of Art, and the interior finishes of the RCVA. The completion of the entire project will culminate in an "arts village" bringing together students from different areas of the fine arts in order to enrich their studies.

The current enrollment in the College of Fine Arts is around 1000 students including undergraduate and graduate art degrees as well as art minors. Also, the requirement of all students to take art classes as part of their general education brings many students into the program furthering the need for a new facility. The center will provide these students with places to exhibit their work as well as the work of visiting artists. There will also be a student lounge area and lecture hall space. The RCVA will become "the new front door" for the School of Art.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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