Calatrava Presents Vision for USF Polytechnic
TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 27, 2009) -- International architect Santiago Calatrava today presented his architectural vision for USF Polytechnic, a long-term master plan for a spectacular series of new buildings.
"I see the university as a city, a science city," Calatrava told the University of South Florida System Board of Trustees, as he presented what he called the "essence" of the project.
Calatrava showed his first reaction to the site -- and for the Board members, did a free-hand sketch of the site as a shell. He then described a central soft line of buildings through the shell, like "jewels." The buildings follow a water line through the axis.
As his thinking developed, he said, he saw the shell as split in half, with symmetrical designs on both sides of the axis of water.
Instead of presenting just the first building, Calatrava unfolded an entire plan for the institution, which supports the polytechnic vision of an institution centered on science and mathematics to build innovation in the state.
Because the full design is obvious in the proposed site layout, the first phase of construction already creates a campus, he said.
"Santiago Calatrava gave us a vision of a fully realized institution," said Judy Genshaft, President of the USF System. "It will be one of the most spectacular architectural statements in the state. What he did today is give us a look at the scale and tone of the full vision."
The next step for USF Polytechnic is to focus on the first building, said Marshall Goodman, CEO and Director of USF Polytechnic. "We have a generous gift of land on I-4," Dr. Goodman said. "And with support from the USF System, we have funding from the Florida Legislature to move ahead with construction. Within the next several months, Dr. Calatrava will be presenting the university with his plans for the first building. That objective will be our practical focus in the short run."
The budget for the first building is $65 million, funded by a combination of PECO allocations, gifts, and state match -- the speed of construction depends on funding.
For more information on the USF Polytechnic project, and Santiago Calatrava:
http://www.poly.usf.edu/News/20090616-Calatrava-to-design-cornerstone-for-new-campus.html
The University of South Florida System is one of the nation's top 63 public research universities and one of 39 community-engaged, four-year public universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2008/2009. The system offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. It has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
-USF
Lara Wade
News Director
University Communication & Marketing
813-974-9060
lwade@admin.usf.edu
