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What existing structures will be preserved through this project?
As part of the project, two buildings were preserved. One of the buildings, the existing Barnum Center at Lasuen Mall, is the older of the two buildings. The second building to be preserved is what we call the North Building, which was the original GSE building and was formerly known as Cubberley.
In order to maintain the original character of the north building (built by architects Bakewell & Brown in 1938), the exterior will be retained, the beautiful timber and steel windows will be restored, and the damaged sandstone walls on the front elevation will be repaired. Save and clean carefully. Some columns are also being wrapped in plywood for preservation, and the original hall’s red tile floor will be retained.
Several elements of the building are considered defining features as they retain their historical significance. Exterior stonework and cement stucco, steel-and-wood windows, coffered ceilings, and red tile floors in the halls all represent the signature craftsmanship and aesthetic Bakewell and Brown developed for the Stanford campus.
Why is preservation a critical part of the process?
By preserving this building, we are rebuilding in a sustainable way. We are not consuming that many new resources and the construction industry is known to do the exact opposite. Just saving a building and repurposing it is naturally a good thing in terms of reducing our carbon footprint.
The second benefit of these preservations is the connections it creates over time. When we do conservation work, we identify those defining features that make a space authentic and try to keep those things alive.
There are a lot of students who have seen the existing buildings firsthand; GSE has been around for a long time. Therefore, it is beneficial for those who identify with the school to create this continuity in their memory.
What significant changes were made to the existing building?
One of the big changes was the demolition of the auditorium in the north building. The idea behind this adjustment was to create a large meeting space where a vibrant community could be created and visual connections between the various floors.
The old auditorium was not conducive to creating community because on days when there were no events, the central space was large, dark and empty. By removing content that doesn’t work and replacing it with multi-tiered forums, GSE students will have new opportunities to meet.
In addition, the corridors surrounding the old auditorium were originally dark, but under the new design, one of the walls will be made entirely of glass, allowing light to penetrate deep into the building.
A large new courtyard shared by the three buildings will serve as a comfortable outdoor gathering space with a balanced mix of shaded and sunny seating areas. A trellis located in the south courtyard of the north building will provide shaded dappled light, while the north courtyard of the south building will be naturally shaded by the building’s shadow.
What part of the project are you most looking forward to?
There are a lot of parts that I’m excited about and eager to see finished. The Barnum Center is interesting: Built around 1906, it served as Stanford University’s original bookstore until 1960, when the bookstore function was moved to its current location across from the Old Union. The building was vacated and eventually became the Barnum Center, with a few additions. over time.
As part of the GSE project, all additions that detract from the original building will be demolished and the original building will once again become an independent structure. I think this building is a beautiful punctuation mark in the formal part of Lasuen Mall, just before you enter the White Plaza to the north and Meyer Green to the east.
I’m also excited to see the new glass facade in the north building and the courtyard between the buildings because I think it will be transformative.
The GSE site selection is the most exciting part of the plan. It’s located in a part of campus where everything is clustered together. The new GSE Courtyard provides simultaneous views of the Main Plaza, Green Library, Hoover Tower, Meyer Green, and White Plaza. We were excited to look at how to make the complex both beautiful and understated so that it would fit in perfectly with the rest of the campus.
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