As Mesa expands and improves architecturally, we can’t help but wonder which direction they will go with newer buildings. Luckily, there are some outstanding examples on campus to base new buildings on. The first two that come to mind for me are Tomlinson Library and the Center for Reflection. Both are fairly new buildings and I have come to appreciate the layout of both of them.
The stairs going up the very center of the library make all three floors feel very open when you are sitting there. The natural light coming through the ceiling creates a much better study place than if it was a stuffy room that was either dimly lit or fully permeated by harsh artificial light.
Tomlinson has been recognized for its sustainability and many agree that it is their favorite building on campus. The sustainability element comes from the modern and open design that allows a lot of natural light to come through the windows on the sides and the ceiling as well as every floor being built around the main staircase that runs directly through the middle.
The Center for Reflection on campus is also a well-designed building. It’s small but the design of the windows and the high ceiling make it a great place to relax and be in silence.
Moving forward, I hope the school continues to establish buildings with this more modern and open design. It is appealing to the eye and feels like a more comfortable and accessible place to study and work.
The layout taken in the library with different floors having different resources to best suit your needs is also something to keep in mind for future buildings. The first floor of Tomlinson has lots of resources and employees to assist with research, while the higher up you go, the environment changes to be more focused on independent work
It would be an interesting idea to consider small new buildings for some of the on-campus establishments that do not have their own space yet. On that same note, a better-placed student wellness center for mental and physical health services would be beneficial for many, as we currently have it set up across the street from campus on Orchard Avenue.
There are a lot of different routes we could go with the school’s expansion, but I hope that they follow the design plans they went with for Tomlinson and the Center for Reflection. Moreover, I hope that they build new buildings with the right purpose rather than new residence halls which would not be as beneficial and forward-thinking for the existing student body as updated health resources or any other student service.
Regardless, the future of our school’s layout is headed in the right direction with the most recent buildings and it will be very interesting to see which direction Colorado Mesa University (CMU) decides to take.
