Main Building — An Update

by Kaberi Dasgupta

One of the myster- ies encountered by David Bergmark, the architect in charge of the renovation of Main Building was the fol- lowing: what was prevent- ing the Political Studies- Philosophy Lounge from being buried by an avalanche of con- crete from the bathroom above it? (Whether or not this has anything to do with the occupants of the lounge has yet to be deter- mined.) Other enigmas in- clude the evolutionary his- tory of the building’s stair- cases and the cause of the unevenness of the floors. Mr. Bergmark thus de- cided to employ a solution reminiscent of Steven Spiel- berg’s “The Money Pit”: demolition of the interior.

PRESERVATION

Mr. Bergmark sus- pects that the floors of the building. became de- flected (uneven) soon after the building was built as a result of poor construction.

Though the floors and walls

must be replaced, attempts are being made to preserve and even enhance the char- acter of Main Building.

The original window trimming has been left un- touched and by filling Main Building with “light and airiness”, Mr. Bergmark believes that such details will be accentuated.

The marble on the floor of the first level will be

= Page 6

retained, but that of the original staircases cannot be used as these staircases are being replaced and the marble cannot be removed from them. It has not yet been decided whether new marble, some other tile, or carpet will be used on the new staircases.

The ceilings and walls,

many of which were cov- >

ered with cheap wood pan- elling, will be plastered. Mr. Bergmark wishes to preserve the original plas- ter moulding on the ceil- ing of the Bishop’s Par- lour, though the ceiling it- self will be new. The Bishop’s Parlour, which, prior to renovation, served as Mr. Ian MacDonald’s office, will become a for-

mal meeting raom, contain- ing memorabilia from St. Dunstan’s University. Mr MacDonald will move next- door. Main Building was once used as a men’s resi- dence and the Bishop’s par- lor was where visiting par- ents could meet with their sons. At that time, par- ents were not allowed up- stairs into the rooms.

In order to integrate the “English” annex with the rest of the building, a third floor will be added to the annex. This floor will contain either small class- rooms and offices. Mr. however, is that of the “trees” (columns) on the fourth floor; since no one

A loss which

or seminar rooms’

Bergmark mourns,’

else wanted them, some- thing else will be holding u the roof. : é

CHANGES

In accordance with the idea of creating open, airy spaces, the faculty lounge and what was formerly the mail room will form a single hall where functions and re- ceptions may be held. The downstairs will be located. near the “Student Ser-

vices” entrance; thus it will ~

no longer be necessary to go through what was for- merly the Student Services area to go elsewhere in the building. This increased ef- ficiency will be important as there will be more class- rooms in the building than before.

The old Student Ser- vices area itself is to be- come a large classroom with alcoves for seats. Ai- together six new classrooms will be created in the build- ing, each capable of seat- ing forty-five to fifty stu- dents. Some of the class- rooms will be tiered. There will also be approximately

one lounge per department.

Ramps are to be built at the main entrance and the back entrance to make the building more accessible.

The staircase locations

will also be slightly altered, “and the staircases will be constructed such that from

any given level, floors above

and below can be _ par- tially viewed, again creat- ing openness. Once tired of such aesthetic details, how- ever, one is free to take the elevator, an_ ‘addition that will undoubtedly excite the

occupants of the third and _

MEANWHILE,

CHEAP POPISN’T all the we have in the Cass Chemistry Centre. True, our pop is priced at 65 cents a bottle, and we do offer 5-Alive in cans, but some- thing else is happening.

If you're in Chem-221 or greater, then you can be a Real Chemmie. To qualify: just take at least 6 semester hours of chem- istry courses per semester, attend meetings of the chemistry society, and/or both.

The Society has

UPEI Chemistry bonded _to-

gether again for another year. At their first meet- ing, last Friday, they dis- cussed several topics in- cluding the executive and the chem party that people look so forward to.

This year, the sopho- more representitive, junior rep- resentitive, secretary, trea- surer, vice-president, and president are respectively Randy MacK- innon, Stephen Hughes, Kelly Charlesworth, Eddy Vessey, Barry Linkletter, and James Connolly.

_ evening.

The society has agreed to order even more of the fashion- able and oh-so-sought af- ter UPEI Chemistry sweat- shirts. in purchasing one should

sign the “intent” form in the Cass Lounge or contact Barry Linkletter or Pauline Cahill.

The first activity day will be coming up on Sat 03 Oct 87. A full day of games / sports is planned and along with a_ social gathering that afternoon / It is proposed

Anyone interested ~

fourth floors. The depth of the’ basement will be increased by digging fur- ther into the ground. The_ GEM office will be located in the basement (near the elevator) as will three class- _ rooms which together will be able to accomodate two hundred and fifty students. Furthermore, near what was formerly the “Student Services” entrance to the

’ building, there will be an

opening in the floor to bring more light into the. basement.

THE SCHEDULE

The demolition phase, which is now complete, cost approximately one hundred thousand dollars. The structural phase, involving such things as the place- ment of beams, will cost about five hundred thou- sand dollars; this stage will begin this week. The general contract will be awarded in December and will involve two to three million dollars. Construc- tion is to be completed by August, 1988.

Phased struction has allowed more time for changes in design, which are still being made. Mr. Bergmark says that he has interviewed student groups, the faculty, and the

con-

administration, and has en- deavoured to take into con- sideration their ideas. If all goes according to schedule, we shall see the results next September! .

OVER AT CASS

that the biological oxida- tion of ethanol be stud- ied in true qualitative fash- ion. Many dedicated chem- ‘mies will undoubtedly try to identify this inebriating reaction. _

A tour of the Veteri- nary College is planned for an upcoming Monday af- ternoon. Any Chem So- ciety member interested in this tour is asked to sign the proper form in the Cass

- Lounge or speak to James

Connolly. As well, the so- ciety is looking into send-

CHEM Cont. Page 7