Architecture Program Report Tulane University New Orleans ...

Physical Facilities
Another primary concern of the most recent Visiting Team Report
was the condition of the Physical Facilities. As determined by the
most recent VTR:
"Past visiting teams have noted the problems with Richardson
Memorial Hall, and some changes have been made and noted.
Much, much more needs to be done as the state of the building is
now clearly adversely affecting the program and the education
Tulane can provide. There are no or limited faculty offices,
institutional support space, and modern shop quarters, material
lab spaces, mock-up spaces, and spray booths. The studio
spaces reflect times past and will not support computer
connections and peripherals. Code violations, including the lack
of sprinkler systems and ADA violations are rampant. A $10
million building campaign is being devised that should finally allow
the school of capitalize on all the many benefits intrinsic to the
historic structure. It could not be soon enough. The profession of
architecture is exceedingly competitive. The state of the building
restricts the school's ability to produce students that can excel in
it. The team has no doubts about the university's capacity to
resolve the building's problems. In the last several years, the
university has built new law, business and medical buildings...As
stated in the most recent Visiting Team Report of 2002, significant
progress has been made in this area, but there is still some way
to go. This is no longer considered a deficiency, certainly not with
respect to the studios."
Nonetheless, the assumption of further progress was a
substantial part of the most recent VTR, and is continuing in the
following areas:
● The Capital Campaign continues, with expected funding
levels to reach a goal of $8.2 million. After a recent $1.2 million
dollar renovation, $600,000 in new funding has been achieved
towards the stated goal. There is also a recent $400,000 bequest
by an esteemed alumnus of the School.
● As noted, the studios are now fully operational in terms of
computer connections and peripherals (all studios feature fully
wireless—as well as wired —access to the School's vastly
increased networks and servers). With new desks and a new
heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, the studios have
been fully "modernized" and are now commensurate with the
School's peer institutions. Server capacity has been increased,
and the School is in the midst of purchasing CNC milling