Model Laboratories and Studio Spaces (2011 Strategic Plan)

In both the arts and sciences, there is great need for updated working and teaching spaces that can serve as showcases for the kind of work that students and faculty engage in on a regular basis. We propose that in the next three to five years the College build or renovate two model labs (in Cole and ASH) and two model studio and student work spaces (in the Art Barn) that would begin the process of augmenting both areas with current technology and equipment.

Comments
Please include your thoughts on the importance of the initiative, how to frame the issue, things that may be missing, and any additional comments here (you can do so by logging into Hampedia and clicking edit):


 * Matthew Gonzalez (F09): On several of my Admissions tours prospective students have asked about a pottery studio after exiting the Arts Barn. While clay is used widely throughout our sculpture studio, I'm not sure if we have proper or adequate space/resources for students interested in pottery.
 * Admissions tours are told the Humanities are "really nowhere". When asked where the "English faculty" are the admissions tours have no answer to give. While I fully support the need for better studios, galleries, study spaces, and science labs, finding a communal space for the Humanities must be part of the discussion. We do not need better spaces--we need A SPACE/ANY SPACE. We have nothing but scattered offices all the way from ASH to EDH, and our identity as a vibrant, critical program for the college and for admissions suffers as a result. Karen Koehler
 * So what exactly does a "model lab/studio" mean? It sounds like it means it's an experiment, and if something goes wrong we tear it down and start all over again? Or is it something else? And what kinds of labs or studios would we be building? Ellen Green
 * I agree with Karen and Ellen. We should build a Humanities Earthship. http://www.earthship.com/index.php
 * Also really unclear as to what this means. I'd like to hear more specific needs and model proposals from art and technology students (respectively) before just generally supporting the idea. -Ilana Rossoff F08
 * Music is also part of "the arts," and Hampshire could definitely use better music facilities... Rebecca Thomas, F'07
 * I would think this is true for all the spaces on campus. This is one of the end results of deferred maintenance/deferred everything. We can see how architecture and design influence the work we are able to do. I think these are experimental spaces, but not in the sense that you rip it out if you don’t like it. Experimental in the sense of constant modifications using feedback from users and owners of the spaces. It should always be in flux. We’ve coasted too long and have become too used to how it is, not to how does it work and how should it evolve. I’m a big fan of the personal two car garage concept. All Div III students should get a two car garage of their own as a work space. All advanced students need an office, lab or studio. John Gunther