<p>Here is a drawing of the new dorm that will replace the Shorland. It will be located just south of BJ. BJ can be seen in lower left hand corner. The dining-hall extension connects the two buildings.</p>
<p>Yes, I saw a drawing of it from the front and think it's gross. It does look better here, though. . .</p>
<p>I don't think they should be putting freshman across the Midway (I heard it will be a freshman dorm.). That is too far from the campus for first years, and it is in a little more dangerous part of Hyde Park as well.</p>
<p>I believe I read somewhere that the plan is to make the rooms more apartment-like, not unlike some at the Shoreland, to encourage students to live in the dorms longer and not move out of University housing. They are after a mixed "years" environment. Not sure what I think of the design yet.</p>
<p>Maybe I am old-fashioned, but I do prefer the gothic architecture of much of the University. I think it provides a very intellectual and studious environment. </p>
<p>I do not mind some of the never buildings, such as the new B School, which works well with the Robie House, which is across the street (though it does diminish it, due to its huge size). I am especially irked by Max P because of the. . .er. . .bright colors. Some students here call it "Barbie's Prison," and for good reason. The yellow and orange do clash.</p>
<p>Across the Midway isn't really much farther from the main quad than Max Palevsky. It's just that it's open space instead of a library in between. While I not as horrified by the looks of Max P (at least it doesn't look like a cinder block that fell off the truck [the Reg]), it is horribly designed for the house system. The university know this and is planning to make sure that the new dorm is built to facilitate housing communities. Also, upper-class quotas were abolished for next year, so it seems they may really be serious about creating communities of different-year students in all dorms.</p>
<p>Having so many more students living across the Midway will definitely be a change. I would guess that 98% of the study body has never been south of Burton-Judson.</p>
<p>Max is right across the street from the main quad. And it still is, even at its furthest point, closer than the distance across the Midway. I walk to my job from approx. the Reg to across the Midway, and it takes me 15 - 20 minutes - at a very brisk pace.</p>
<p>I think parents would be happier knowing their 18-year-olds were in close proximity with the main quads. My opinion, anyway. . .</p>
<p>Not to get in an argument, but Max P Central and Burton-Judson are almost exactly the same walking distance (7-8 minutes) from the south end of the quad, which is where most classes on the quad are. While Max P is across the street from the north end of the quad, most classes are at the south end, which is slightly closer to Burton-Judson.
It's just that from Max P you'd pass the Reg, Bartlett (dining hall), the Reynolds Club, and would be walking through the main quad. From B-J you'd pass an empty field.
I don't deny that Max P is a bit closer to many relevant buildings (that's why I live here), but B-J isn't really that far away. From the Reg to across the Midway is only 3.5 blocks.</p>
<p>True, true. Is it just that Max P seems closer to campus instead of being seperated by a huge stretch of grass. Max is more where the activity is already. At its furthest point, it may be the same distance away, but it sure seems closer.</p>
<p>Wait a second - if I'm in BJ next year will that mean that I'll be hearing construction noises all the time? When it's finished is it going to tower over us? Not to mention ruin our dining hall and building by connecting the two... That's not fair... :(</p>
<p>Wow, yeah Myself-- I'm also concerned about the construction. Oh well, I may not get B-J anyway, and one of the reasons I liked it was because it seemed a bit quieter being across the Midway.</p>
<p>Reading: Where all did you apply to stay?</p>
<p>I am of the opinion that the school should've been a little bit more concerned about keeping its Gothic architecture... like Katharos said, I have nothing against the GSB, for example, which despite its modern look still looks very beautiful and blends in well with its surroundings.... but this building and Max. P are just a little out of hand, dont you all think?</p>
<p>Couldn't have said it better, Felipe.</p>
<p>Hey, again (from Thick Envelope), by the way!</p>
<p>I read a report of a meeting with the local Woodlawn community concerning what the dorm would look like. The community, to which the Univesity is quite sensitive, wanted the dorm to blend into the housing style of the community and did not want a "Gothic" structure in the middle of their bloc. The University asked the architect to honor both the Woodlawn neighborhood wishes, have it fit into the University environment (note that the law school is there as well and it is not gothic in design), and be attractive enough to convince students to stay there all 4 years. The jury is out on whether our not all masters have been served.</p>
<p>Neverborn: B-J, S-H, Shoreland. I just loved the vibe I got from B-J during my tour.</p>