The Idaho State Board of Education approved funding for the design of a new president’s house at the University of Idaho at a October board meeting, and the committee has begun design work with an architectural firm.
Katy Kithcart | Argonaut
The University of Idaho president’s house sits unoccupied as the search for the next UI president continues. The ISBOE has approved funding to begin the design phase of a new house.
The University of Idaho is seeking a president who will be with the university for a long time. With that in mind, the university is making efforts to provide a residence that will fit that goal and the needs of the next university president.
Ron Smith, vice president for finance and administration, currently co-chairs the advisory committee overseeing the process for a new president’s house. Interim President Don Burnett established the committee with co-chair Frances Ellsworth, former UI foundation president.
Smith said the plan is to build a residence that reflects the university structurally and culturally that will be as livable as it is functional.
“So, that’s the plan,” Smith said. “Is to come up with a structure that we can be proud of that’s going to reflect the other buildings on campus and the campus culture, provide a place for a president to come and connect with campus, a place where that person can entertain dignitaries and donors and friends of the university.”
Smith said five firms were considered, and a subcommittee appointed by Burnett interviewed and chose one of the firms to do the work.
“Which is Hummel Architects, and they’re from Boise,” Smith said. “The majority of their working group are University of Idaho graduates. They’ll be working closely with the Idaho Design Lab down in Boise, that works on energy efficiency and lighting issues, so that’s exciting.”
Smith said the committee will also consider student opinions during this design phase, after the preliminary designs are completed by the architects.
“I’m anticipating that what will happen is, once they come up with preliminary drawings — (and) the committee thinks they’re going in the right direction. Then we’ll take it to the campus as a whole and maybe have some (plans) on campus so people can maybe go down to the (teaching and) learning center and look at it … and make comments and do those kinds of things,” Smith said.
Smith said student involvement wouldn’t stop there.
“And then while that’s all going on, we will also connect with students and student programs to see if we can’t get them engaged in helping us put together the mechanical and, you know, the look and all those kinds of things and help the architect with that,” Smith said.
Smith said the committee will approach the Board in mid-February in order to present preliminary designs and get approval for construction.
“We hope the construction will start late spring, early summer 2014 and hopefully be done by that same time in 2015,”
Smith said.
While plans are in the works, details about cost remain sketchy. Smith said costs are unknown at this point, though the committee set an estimate of $1 million.
“We kind of tried to put a big number out there so that we could manage expectations,” Smith said. “To tell you the truth, we really don’t have any idea how much it’s going to cost yet.”
Smith said costs will be solidified at the February meeting, but the committee in the meantime will be attempting to raise money to pay for the majority of the house.
Smith said he looks forward to completing the project.
“I’m looking forward to just having a successful project and having a president’s residence that we’ll all be proud of, something that’s going to last for a long period of time,” Smith said. “It will be a test of time, it will get better every year, so and it will be flexible and we’ll be able to have this house for a hundred
years, hopefully.”
Andrew Jenson
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