McCoy GS '80 named new University architect

“Finding somebody who was just as perfect as [Hlafter] was for the job was certainly a surprise, and a wonderful surprise,” Vice President for Facilities Michael McKay said of McCoy’s appointment.

McCoy said in an interview that he views himself mainly as a part of a collaborative effort. “What university architects do is bring a guiding hand and perspective and a kind of dialogue with each new architect that works on the campus,” he said.

“[These architects] look at the university architect to be the aesthetic conscience of the physical setting — to provide the most intelligent and steady hand to that aesthetic conscience, which is shared among a lot of architects that will work on the campus,” he added.

McCoy, who received his master’s degree from the architecture school, returns to Princeton after holding the post of university architect at Arizona State University and working as a professor and in the private sector.

The University architect is the central liaison between the many architects and planners of various University initiatives. McCoy said he will try to grasp and contribute to the essence of the Princeton campus environment as well as investigate and implement sustainability efforts. He also aims to “nurture, enhance and expand the quality of the landscape,” he said, calling the landscape “one of the most profoundly beautiful parts of [the campus].”

Above all, both the outgoing and incoming University architects share an appreciation for their alma mater as a special place.

“[Princeton’s campus] is refreshingly different, profoundly different, but it’s a beautiful place,” McCoy said.

“Princeton is unique in being a place where the architecture of America can be seen from its earliest times,” Hlafter said. “That, for an architect, is a very special opportunity to help build on.”

McCoy’s work in implementing the 10-year Campus Plan is cut out for him.

“Just being able to participate in that exciting effort [of the Campus Plan] is a major challenge for any architect, and to be able to ensure that what is done during that period is of high quality is something that I think Ron is going to be able to do a very good job of,” Hlafter, who will slowly phase out his commitments leading up to the switch this summer. McKay views the working relationship between McCoy and Hlafter as an important part of the University’s transitional phase. Acknowledging that there is “so much already in the state of evolution” on campus, it would be impossible for a new architect to “just pick up where somebody left off,” McKay explained.

McCoy will work closely with both McKay and Hlafter, who will remain on campus in a part-time role. “My main reason for continuing to work part-time will be trying to sort out my records which are in disarray, and I’ll try to put them together in a way that will be useful to Ron,” Hlafter explained.

“While I’m doing that, if he feels like I can be of any help to him, I’d be glad to assist,” Hlafter said.