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Art museum still raising funds for construction

August 12, 2009

Although construction of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum was delayed earlier this spring, university officials said the project is on schedule to break ground in spring 2010.

Linda Stanford, associate provost for academic services, said MSU is continuing to raise money for the $40- to $45-million project. Ground breaking for the building originally was set for spring 2009 but was delayed a year because of inflated cost estimates and continuing efforts to find funding for the museum.

“We are continuing to raise funds,” she said. “We’re working toward spring ground breaking with the idea that once we have the ground breaking, the trucks will begin moving in.”

The Broads donated $26 million to the project in summer 2007. Eli Broad, a billionaire philanthropist, is an MSU alumnus.

Stanford declined to say how much money MSU had raised thus far in addition to the Broads’ donation.

“We’re close enough to go forward,” she said.

She said MSU is trying to keep the cost close to $40 million, but because of changing costs of materials and supplies, the cost could increase to about $45 million.

The design for the building was created by London-based architect Zaha Hadid and was chosen in January 2008.

The museum will be located on East Circle Drive across from Student Services. Stanford said there have been some changes to the original design.

“Basically, we’ve moved a few things in the internal spaces, but it will look like it does on the Web,” she said. “We don’t know the nature of the exterior planning … (It will be) silvery and it’s not going to be brick.”

Special education senior Emily Francis said she liked the design for the museum, which is different than the surrounding buildings.

“It’s bringing a new culture,” Francis said. “None of these buildings (around the site) are outdated — in a couple decades (the museum) will be vintage.”

Jed Dingens, a teaching specialist in the MSU School of Planning, Design and Construction who uses the museum’s design for his classes, said the hardest part of the planning process is working on the skin for the structure.

The skin is like the envelope or clothing for the building, Dingens said.

The roof of the structure has pleats, which is a challenge because the valleys will collect snow and rain and could lead to leaks, he said.

“The hardest part is — right now — trying to get the envelope skin built in a way that won’t leak,” Dingens said. “I met Zaha Hadid and I said ‘If you can pull off this pleated wall, it will be a great accomplishment.’”

Dingens said he wasn’t aware of any other recently built structure in a snow-bearing country with a pleated roof.

“I’m glad MSU has a chance to do a signature building like this,” he said.

Stanford said the university also plans on re-paving East Circle Drive after construction on the museum is complete.

“We’re coordinating so we don’t tear it up twice — it’s fairly bumpy,” Stanford said. “We don’t want to come in with heavy trucks and then destroy it.”

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