A Modern Wonder 

Edward Durell Stone's Campus Design Lauded in Architecture Magazine 

Architect Edward Durell Stone’s modern design landed the University at Albany on Dezeen magazine’s list of top-10 architectural marvels on the East Coast. (Photos by Mark McCarty)

The Uptown Campus’s “space-age flourishes,” including slender pillars, arches and glass domes, were mentioned in the Dezeen article.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 18, 2018) — The East Coast is full of stunning architectural masterpieces and the University at Albany campus is certainly one of them, according to Dezeen, a London-based online architecture magazine with offices in New York City.

On Oct. 8, the publication released its list of “10 modernist architectural marvels on America’s East Coast,” with UAlbany ranking among the 10.

Reporter Dan Howarth wrote, “Edward Durell Stone's SUNY Albany campus is an epiphany for even the most ardent architecture zealot . . . The campus also incorporates space-age flourishes, with gigantic glass bubble domes shielding courtyards, interior fluorescent sunburst fixtures, and a fluted steel cylindrical space needle (actually a disguised water tower) in the centre, marking the site from afar.” Howarth also mentioned the Uptown Campus’s tall columns, stone walkways and fountains/reflecting pools.

In 1962, Durell was commissioned by the state of New York and Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller to design and create the Uptown Campus. Dezeen complimented UAlbany’s Academic Podium as well as the academic and administrative buildings that draw their inspiration from a more classic New Formalist style.

Joining Stone’s architecture at UAlbany on Dezeen’s top-10 list were the Bell Labs building in Holmdel N.J., by Eero Saarinan; the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, N.Y., by IM Pei; and Temple Beth Shalom in Elkins Park, Penn., by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Earlier this month, Historic Albany hosted an architectural tour of UAlbany led by Hicks Stone, the son of Edward Durell Stone, and Ray Bromley, a professor of Geography and Planning.

Continual upgrades

The University is committed to its architectural history, constantly maintaining and upgrading the campus even as it adds new buildings. A recent rehab of Building 25, for example, maintained the look of the classic Stone design while upgrading energy efficiency and gaining LEED Platinum status.

Currently there are five construction projects underway at the University. They are:

Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex (ETEC)

ETEC, now in construction on an adjacent 12-acre parcel on the Harriman Campus, will provide 246,000 square feet of state-of-the-art research, instruction and entrepreneurial-focused space to advance some of UAlbany’s nationally recognized programs.

The $180 million project will co-locate atmospheric and weather programs – including the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center and the New York State Mesonet – along with the new College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, the newly created Environmental and Sustainable Engineering program (part of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences), and selected Chemistry researchers.

The building also will have a business incubator space, spaces for private partners, and the University’s Small Business Development Center and technology transfer operations to facilitate commercialization of research and better stimulate economic development. Foundations and footings are being poured and phased steel erection is underway. Occupancy is anticipated summer 2021.

Renovation of Building 27

This $38 million project gut renovates a 100,000-square-foot Podium building to provide modern instructional, research and faculty office space for University programs. Occupancy is anticipated in summer 2019.

Renovation of Dutch Quad Buildings G and H

This $32 million project will gut renovate two buildings on Dutch Quad for 200 student beds along with centralized campus health and counseling services. Construction started April 2018 and occupancy is anticipated in summer 2019.

Renovation of the Schuyler Building

This phased construction project will be the new home of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Exterior renovation phases are currently in design and construction, totaling some $8 million, and include window replacement, entry restoration, and façade repair and restoration. Exterior work commenced spring 2018 and is expected to continue through 2020. The next phase of the multi-phase project includes interior renovations, now in design stages, for phased occupancy expected 2022-23.

Phased Renovation of Lecture Centers and Classrooms

The University has kicked off another phase of its multi-year lecture center and classrooms facilities upgrade. Over $12 million of Lecture Center and Podium classroom work is underway and another $23 million is in design. Phased renovations will continue through 2021.

Upgrade of Central Plant

The University will begin an $11 million central chill plant upgrade in 2019-20 to add additional capacity and upgrade energy efficiency controls.

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