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Rutgers Campus to Receive Overhaul

The University plans to add two million square feet of new and renovated space to each of its campuses.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 1/30/2006 12:00:00 AM

Five design firms are now in hot pursuit of a $300 million redesign for Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The firms--Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, New York-a joint venture with Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Paris; Eisenman Architects, New York; Thom Mayne of Morphosis, Santa Monica, Calif.; Antoine Predock Architect PC, Albuquerque, N.M.; and Ten Arquitectos (Enrique Norten), Mexico City--were selected from an international competition announced last February in partnership with the City of New Brunswick. The winning firm will carve out a new campus landscape and design an academic building.

Currently, the firms are developing design concepts for the College Avenue campus in cooperation with teams of architects, landscape designers, and urban planners. Proposals include development of a major transportation hub, including a pedestrian bridge over George Street; replacement or renovation of the River Dorms as well as a new dining facility; and a new, one-stop student service center in Brower Commons. Concept submissions are due March 22, 2006 A13-member jury that includes experts in architecture, urban planning, landscape design and historic preservation, as well as representatives of the Rutgers faculty, alumni and student body, will then determine the winning team, and make its recommendation to University president Richard L. McCormick. Rutgers serves more than 50,000 students on campuses in Camden, Newark and New Brunswick/Piscataway. The comprehensive, multiyear plan is to upgrade each campus with 2 million square feet of new and renovated academic, residential, service and public space.