[Winona] RE: Glass Palace at High School

[Phil Carlson]

[Winona Online Democracy]





The Winona High 
School building is significant piece of architecture from 
a nationally- and internationally-famous architecture firm.   
As lead architects for the school, the Texas firm of Caudill, 
Rowlett, and Scott (CRS) were "pioneers of daylit, naturally ventilated 
schools" (see article and web link below).  CRS were well-known school 
experts in the 60s when my father helped the school board select them as 
architects for the new high school.  Although the firm is now disbanded, 
they are still studied for their design innovations and business 
savvy.  
 
I know nothing of 
the proposed changes to the high school other than the few comments here on 
WOD.  If true, I am appalled.  If my father doesn't respond on his 
own, let me speak for the architects in the room, and for the users - students 
and teachers - of the high school.
 
The high school was 
placed on that site quite deliberately to take advantage of the wonderful 
setting on the lake.  One can argue pros and cons of the whole building, 
but one cannot argue with the brilliant, simple placement of the main gathering 
space in a south-facing, sun-filled, two-story concourse.  To mess with 
this would be a mistake.  When done right, good architecture doesn't 
necessarily draw attention to itself, but rather makes living easy, enjoyable, 
and productive.  That is the essence of the WHS concourse.  After some 
weeks or months of being in that space you can almost forget that it is a full, 
naturally-lit space with incredible views. But it affects how you think, study, 
and interact with others.  You feel respected as a person in that space and 
may not know why.
 
I was in 9th grade 
when the new high school opened and attended junior high in the old pair of 
buildings on Broadway, then attended senior high in the new school.  The 
contrast in study hall and lunch room experience (both functions occupy the 
new school concourse) between the old and new schools could hardly be 
greater.  From cramped-and-sterile to open-and-bright was refreshing and 
fun.
 
Let's not mess with 
the high school concourse and its setting without some really good architectural 
advice and some long, thoughtful community discussion.
 

Phil Carlson, Mpls


  
  
    
       
      
      

      
      
        
      
  
    
      Culture of Listening 
      by Katharine Logan 
      Most architects are acutely conscious of the 
      long-term significance of their buildings. But fewer are conscious of the 
      long-term significance of their corporate culture. When it comes to 
      leaving a cultural legacy for practitioners, however, one Texas firm 
      stands out. 
      Beginning in the late 1940s, and lasting more 
      than 40 years, Caudill, Rowlett and Scott (CRS) operated as one of the 
      most innovative architecture/ engineering firms of its time, developing 
      architecture as a product, but also, and perhaps more importantly, as a 
      process. 
      In February, the CRS Center for Leadership and Management in the Design and 
      Construction Industry held a retrospective conference at Texas A&M 
      University called Rowlett 2001: The Legacy of CRS. 
      Close to 300 students, faculty, professionals, 
      and CRS alumni gathered to hear architecture, construction, and 
      engineering professionals who had been associated with CRS discuss 
      innovative aspects of the firm's corporate culture. 
      Panel discussions explored process innovations 
      in design, programming, project delivery, and team organization. A 
      critical look at the firm's demise rounded out the discussion, offering 
      insight not only into what worked at CRS, but also what didn't. 
      Regardless of the particular topic of the 
      panel, however, it became clear that what was unique about this firm was 
      its emphasis on people: CRS saw teamwork, client involvement, and 
      professional growth as critical to the creation of architecture and the 
      success of the firm. 
        
    
      
      
        
        
          
             
            Central High School in San Angelo, Texas, 1955. >From its 
            beginnings as a pioneer of daylit, naturally ventilated schools, CRS 
            emphasized innovation. Photo: CRS Archives, TAMU 
            
             
            Caudill leads a CRS "Squatters" session. 
            Photo: CRS Archives, TAMU 
             
            
            Click on thumbnail 
            imagesto view full-size pictures. 
      
 
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