Careful What You Dream A look at how the design team can work with the client to understand the dream when constructing or renovating a law school

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Careful What You DreamA look at how the design
team can work with the client to understand the
dream when constructingor renovating a law school
Edward T.M. Tsoi, FAIA Tsoi/Kobus Associates,
Inc. Cambridge, MA
Bricks Bytes Seattle, WA March 23, 2006
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Why Architecture Matters?

• At the risk of stating the obvious, architecture
  matters. The nature of the space in which we
  work, teach, and study is important. The design
  of our surroundings affects our attitudes, moods,
  self-esteem, efficiency, and sense of community.
  
• For the students, space makes a difference in the
  quality of the learning experience. It is
  possible to teach and learn in deficient space,
  but it is easier to teach and learn when both
  faculty and students are comfortable, happy, and
  not distracted by the inconveniences and
  annoyances of a poorly designed environment.
  Inadequate space prevents us from achieving all
  of which we are capable, thereby diminishing our
  productivity, creativity, and accomplishments.
  If deficient space limits our future, then good
  space can expand it. Ultimately, the space
  around us helps define who we are and what we can
  achieve.
• A Brief Exploration of Space
• Some Observations on Law School Architecture
• by Robert H. Jerry, II
• THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO LAW REVIEW
• Volume 36 Number 1 Fall 2004
• Symposium Leadership in Legal Education, Issue
  V

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Law School Drivers

• Average applicant
• Curriculum has changed a little but technology
  has changed a lot
• Specialization
• Graphic media in courtroom
• Law school deans want
• Technology
• Library
• Skills instruction

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Architects shape the building, but you shape the
way the architect sees the problem
University of Florida, Levin College of Law (2002)
University of Florida, Levin College of Law
(2002)
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Communicating the Vision

• Let there be many voices for the dream
• Faculty/administration
• Librarians
• Students
• Alumni

University of Florida, Levin College of Law
University of Florida, Levin College of Law
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Five Classic Law School Issues

1. Faculty offices
2. Congregation spaces
3. Classrooms and IT
4. Library
5. Finishes, furniture, and art

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1. Faculty Offices
Separate
Integrated
vs.
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2. Congregation Spaces
University of Florida
Suffolk University Law School
Harvard Law School
University of Illinois
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Harvard Law School Student Commons

• Clutter
• Years of bad habits
• Designed in spring
• Constructed in summer

Before
After
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Harvard Law School Student Commons

• Students and faculty eat in the renovated
  cafeteria
• New finishes and lighting
• Different seating serves many functions

Before
After
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3. Classrooms and IT
Suffolk University Law School Midge Wilcke and
George Comeau
University of Florida Classroom
Suffolk University Law School, Moot Court
Sketches with Dean Sugarman
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• Sight lines
• Lighting
• Acoustics
• Technology
• Podium
• Furniture
• Access

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4. Library
University of Florida Law School
Suffolk University Law School

• Group study areas/rooms
• Mixture of seating arrangements
• More time working in library
• Food and drink facilities
• Numerous computers

Suffolk University Law School
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5. Finishes, Furniture, and Art
Harvard University Law School
Harvard University Law School

• Durable
• Comfortable
• Wired

Harvard University Law School
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From Vision to Bricks Bytes

• Program
• Concept
• Pricing
• Outreach

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Getting the Numbers Right
Students Total Gross Average GSF FTE Area
(GSF) FTE
Suffolk (Existing) 1,470 139,000 95 Fordham
University (2) 1,267 129,939 103 New York Law
School (2) 1,229 170,000 138 Boston University
(1) 1,250 196,500 157 Suffolk (Base
Build) 1,470 243,500 166 Northeastern 389 70,000 1
80 Brooklyn Law School (2) 1,330 248,000 186 Catho
lic University (1) (2) 867 170,000 196 Georgetown
University (1) (2) 2,378 489,350 206 Chicago Kent
(1) 1,200 254,545 217 Boston College
(1) 800 201,000 252 Northwestern (1)
(2) 609 161,000 264 Harvard (1) 1,800 529,920 296
Ranked in order of GSF/full time equiv.
(1) Visited or interviewed(2) ABA Law School
Facilities Reference Book
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Source Turner Construction Company 2005
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Help from Alumni and Friends
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Celebrate!
University of Florida, Levin College of Law
University of Washington, School of Law
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Celebrate the Dream
Tsoi/Kobus Associates, Inc. Cambridge, MA
Bricks Bytes Seattle, WA March 23, 2006