University of Wisconsin Facilities Planning and Management posted a request Thursday for architecture and engineering services for the new Gordon Commons, which is expected to be completed in November 2013.
The new Gordon Commons, which is expected to cost at least $41 million, will be built on the site of the recently deconstructed old Ogg Hall before the current Gordon Commons is demolished, according to Director of Campus Planning Gary Brown.
“We will be hiring architects in the next two months and then construction will take two years after that,” Brown said. “In the interim, there will be a green space [where the old Ogg was located].”
According to university architect Dan Okoli, the design process will begin in July after an architectural firm is selected.
“We want to create an environment that allows people to interact and learn inside and outside of classrooms. For this particular project, it’s really at a very important location,” Okoli said. “We want to create campus places that are great places for people to hang out. We can develop spaces that help tie the campus together.”
He said the interior and exterior of the building will be designed together, with extensive green space incorporated into the landscaping.
Brown said the new Gordon Commons will include updated kitchen and dining spaces, with expanded meeting room facilities available as well.
According to the UW Residence Halls and Dining Services Master Plan, the current Gordon Commons was built in 1965. Its kitchen facilities have changed very little since, and after extensive consideration of renovation options, the university decided a total reconstruction would be best.
Okoli said the architecture firm selected must have a local connection to UW, and due to the current economic climate, a high level of interest is expected in the project.
“In the past, a project like this could probably attract eight to a dozen firms. But in this current economic climate, we’ll be seeing a higher rate of applicants coming out for a job, so there might be significantly more than that,” Okoli said.
-Anthony Puccio contributed to this report.
