Yesterday some colleagues and I got a tour of The Barn, the new on campus social space for student organizations. I had only seen pictures of the outside, so getting inside was a real treat.
There is a long, paved walk up to The Barn (lined with many street lights, so people can feel secure walking there at night). The access road goes near Palmer and Piccolo Dorms, the Anthropology Museum, and WFDD, our NPR affiliate station housed on campus. The site for The Barn is on our old cross country trails, which are wooded and lovely. As we walked out there, I thought “This is going to be gorgeous in the fall.” So many beautiful trees there.
When you get to The Barn, it is a nice tan and black structure. There is still some construction going on – laying down sidewalks, adding the fire pit (a nice touch), but the structure is ready.
As you walk indoors, it is all wood inside. Large, vaulted ceilings with industrial looking fans. It has the feeling of a mountain lodge – which the wood smell adds to for sure. There are glass garage doors down one long wall, and the opposite wall is a bar and catering kitchen and restrooms (tiled in Old Gold and Black, appropriately). There’s a stage at front for a band or for speakers, an LCD projector and large screen. There’s also a second floor, which they are calling the Mezzanine, where people can stand and watch the main floor below. The Mezzanine has wire screening to keep anyone from falling. If the garage doors are open (I believe there are four doors), you can walk out to a patio and grassy area, then there are woods behind.
This is going to be a tremendous addition to campus life. Easy walking distance, functional and well designed, and will give students their own space to host functions. It is a win-win for everyone. I can’t wait for our students to use it!
Yesterday some colleagues and I got a tour of The Barn, the new on campus social space for student organizations. I had only seen pictures of the outside, so getting inside was a real treat.
When you get to The Barn, it is a nice tan and black structure. There is still some construction going on – laying down sidewalks, adding the fire pit (a nice touch), but the structure is ready.
There are glass garage doors down one long wall, and the opposite wall is a bar and catering kitchen and restrooms (tiled in Old Gold and Black, appropriately). There’s a stage at front for a band or for speakers, an LCD projector and large screen. There’s also a second floor, which they are calling the Mezzanine, where people can stand and watch the main floor below. The Mezzanine has wire screening to keep anyone from falling. If the garage doors are open (I believe there are four doors), you can walk out to a patio and grassy area, then there are woods behind.
own space to host functions. It is a win-win for everyone. I can’t wait for our students to use it!