Architecture debate weighs consistency with need for variety

Residents of Holder and Blair halls typically consider themselves lucky to live among stunning surroundings they think capture the spirit of Princeton. But most do not know those surroundings were built to instill conservative, and some would even say regressive, values in the University's students.

Ralph Adams Cram, a turn-of-the-century architect, designed the University chapel and popularized the collegiate Gothic form — defined by pointed arches and rich ornamentation — to "instruct on medieval forms of society and culture," former architecture school dean Robert Geddes said. The language of collegiate Gothic architecture suggested sobriety and was directly opposed to modern ideas of the time, he added.

The buildings "were based on very solid thought about what life for young men in college should be."

Throughout the University's long history, a wide array of architectural styles have been used for campus buildings. Today that tradition continues. The soon-to-be constructed Whitman College will showcase the same traditional style found in Holder, whereas the new Science Library will feature the abstract modern designs of architect Frank Gehry.

But some are questioning whether campus architecture is heading in the right direction.

Currently, director of physical planning and licensed architect Jon Hlafter '61 says the University is divided into two architectural zones. More traditional forms dominate the upper part of campus, while more modern forms fill other areas of campus, he said.

In line with that division, Whitman College, located on the edge of the traditional zone, will be built in collegiate Gothic and the Science Library, located near Fine Hall, will be more avante-garde.

Most are happy with this dichotomy. Trustee and chair of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk '72 said she thinks the two-zone philosophy makes a lot of sense.

"Our guiding principle is that we want to build what is excellent. Both the historical and the more avante-garde can be excellent," Plater-Zyberk said.

Geddes, who passes by Holder Hall each day as he walks to work, disagrees. Though he concedes that buildings like Holder are "magnificent," Geddes said he believes it is wrong for Princeton to construct a new building in the collegiate Gothic style.

Whereas most people might look at Holder or the Chapel and think of Princeton's rich history and tradition, Geddes sees buildings that were designed to instill specific, even controversial, values.

"Cram's idea for the collegiate Gothic gives us a problem about culture — the reason Cram proposed Gothic was filled with prejudice about men, women and minorities."

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Geddes said that today's Princeton does not embrace the same values that turn-of-the-century architecture was meant to enforce. Since World War II, Princeton has moved toward a "sense of freedom and an open society, becoming coeducational and changing its character," Geddes said. The new campus architecture should reflect these themes, he said.

Most people, however, think the University's new designs reflect its values.

"The trustees believe that different sorts of architecture are appropriate in different parts of the campus," said Vice President and Secretary Thomas Wright '62. The trustees have the final say in decisions about the construction and design of new buildings, but have generally agreed with the advice and direction of the administration, including Hlafter, over the last 20 years, Plater-Zyberk said.

"I think [the construction of both Whitman College and the Science Library] shows the range of cultural endeavors of our time and it is very exciting to me that we are doing both projects," Plater-Zyberk said.

She added that collegiate Gothic architecture does not signify conservative or regressive values. Rather, she said it signifies the important roles of history and tradition in a modern age.

Sam Todd '04, a member of the President's Advisory Committee on Architecture, said that he "does not sense much objection to building in the old Gothic style, it is sort of the quintessential style."

Geddes, however, questions the idea that collegiate Gothic is the quintessential architectural theme on campus.

He points out that the college's first building, Nassau Hall, is an example of a Georgian building, Brown Hall is Romanesque and Whig and Clio halls are neoclassical. He said he hopes that future decision-makers on campus design understand what collegiate Gothic is meant to suggest.