During a typical fall at the University of Michigan, students are often in the courtyard of the Art and Architecture Building socializing, studying and meeting as classes.
Even though the coronavirus pandemic has made this fall feel atypical in many ways, Taubman College students and faculty members wanted to ensure that the courtyard retained its ability to be a community gathering space.
A group of faculty and students recently created an outdoor, socially distanced instructional space to activate the inner courtyard at the Art and Architecture Building, home of the A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning and Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design.
The goal was to allow the university community to safely use the popular space by intuitively adhering to health and safety guidelines required by the pandemic.
“The social distancing challenges of the pandemic are amplified in design education, which relies heavily on collaborative, spontaneous and interactive exchanges in studio and classroom environments,” said Anya Sirota, associate dean for academic initiatives and associate professor of architecture.
“One response to this dilemma was to harness our own disciplinary expertise to create a more engaging, empathetic spatial experience, which, despite some very real constraints, rings true to our collective culture.”
Sirota, along with other Taubman College faculty and staff members co-designed two large, health-informed work tables, each accommodating up to 12 people and adhere to health and safety guidelines.
Others involved included Jonathan Rule, clinical assistant professor of architecture and urban planning; Ana Morcillo Pallarés, assistant professor of architecture and urban planning; Jacob Comerci project manager for academic initiatives; and Ishan Pal, research assistant,
Students Gary Zhang, Adrian DiCorato and Kristina Cantarero assisted with the fabrication of the tables. Taubman College’s Digital Fabrication Lab and woodshop provided additional support.
The tables aggregate to form symmetrical clovers but can be disassembled into medium-sized ovals and individual fragments. There are also several umbrellas placed throughout for shade. When space is not occupied by a class, students, faculty and staff can use the adaptable furnishing for informal, socially distanced gatherings.
Additionally, Taubman College faculty designed a “cabana” for the undercroft at the Art and Architecture Building. It will hold additional outdoor furnishings: umbrellas, lawn chairs and inflatables. Students are free to take the items to the adjacent hill, or “the beach” as it has been affectionately named, to use during study and conversation. A cleaning station is available to ensure safety.
“The table will be useful now, and it will be useful a year from now — it’s not a pandemic-specific artifact. That said, social distancing guidelines acted as a productive constraint, inflecting our design decisions,” Comerci said.
“When the table is reconfigured, it will allow us to get nearer. When aggregated, the table’s scale and geometry intuitively inform us how to stay safe while being together. The outcome is informal, economical and droll.”
The courtyard can be booked for class use by faculty or students in the Taubman College and the Stamps School through Oct. 29.
Nicholas Dybas
I enjoyed reading about this idea of a “pandemic-proof” table. Based on what I can see from the photo, the table appears to be an “X” shape. I’m curious if an “M” shape could’ve been designed? That seems the most appropriate shape for something used at U of “M”! (I can initially envision a total of 12 seats like the current table with 3 seats at each of the vertical “points” of the “M”: lower-left, upper-left, upper-right, lower-right. Plus, the angles in the “M” would probably lend the necessary distancing for people seated in the upper-left and upper-right portions. And if the table were long/large enough, 3 more seats at the middle-lower “point” for a total of 15 seats.) Overall, great work and very interesting!
William Burgard
I’m grateful for all of your efforts to create this useful and pleasant environment! I’ve already used the courtyard for four of my Stamps classes. Well done!