Campus maps, tracing paper, markers, pens, colored pencils, computer-generated floor plans. Armed with these supplies, associates from Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas concluded their two-day work session yesterday in an attempt to gather feedback from the University community on ideas the architecture firm is considering for the future of on-campus housing.

Associates from the firm set up a studio- like atmosphere in the Union to draw, draft and discuss their initial ideas for the 15-year Residence Life Master Plan the company will propose. And according to Ahmed Ali, an intern architect with the firm, working with students over their shoulders is beneficial for the associates as well as future University students.

“We can do this work in the office, but I think the reason we are here is because in talking with students, it can also give us direction,” he said. “In reality [students] will not be able to see the changes now, but give suggestions for future generations. The most important thing is to be able to plant the seed now.”

According to Michael Kuchta, an associate with the firm, students at the sessions expressed concerns much like those they cited through the firm’s online survey in November: the Conklin Greek units are too large to fill with chapter members, Rodgers is in need of massive renovations and Harshman and Kreischer Quadrangles are too isolated. More single rooms and ways to increase privacy in the residence halls were also discussed.

In response, associates are toying with ideas that may bring about pleasing changes.

The firm is looking at the possibility of building a Greek village with 16-20 houses designed for smaller student numbers as well as transforming what associate Wesley Page dubs “the frozen tundra” that exists between Harshman and Kreischer into an area with at least one other building to encourage community.

Each student that came to view the firm’s progress, was asked to sketch their daily route on campus using a map and tracing paper. While the trek of one student doesn’t say much, when associates overlap dozens of routes, it gives insight into the pedestrian paths on campus, which are helpful in the planning process.

“When you overlap them, you start to understand where the patterns go,” Kuchta said. “You start to learn where it makes sense to put buildings and where it doesn’t.”

But the firm’s ideas and sketches reflect the company’s understanding of the financial burden that comes with any renovations or new housing projects, Kuchta said.

“We realize that a lot of students have financial restraints and we’re not willing to produce a lot of housing that’s pretty but unaffordable,” he said. “It’s the trickiest part of this planning … but we understand that there’s no magic pot of money other than what students will be paying.”

And that goes for renovations too.

“We’re trying to think about [renovations] in a feasible way,” Kuchta said. “Our goal is to make sure that whatever renovations happen are both what students want and what the University wants to support.”

But as the sessions prove, right now any ideas are worth discussing.

“Anywhere there’s not a building, we’ll look at putting one,” Kuchta said.

Editor’s Note: The firm expects to work with various focus groups and Residence Life staff to get more concrete ideas for future projects by the end of the semester or early summer. Read the BG News for further updates.