University of Tampa Utilities Building

2013. Tampa, FL

Project Architect: Richard M. Haas (at Beck Architecture, LLC)

Construction: H.C. Beck LTD.

Project Summary: The new Facilities Building at the University of Tampa was designed to architecturally compliment the existing Thompson Building to the south.  The project was to provide expansion space for the university's facility functions or new offices, workshops, maintenance areas and storage.  Although, not on the Historic Register at the time of the expansion, the adjacent Thompson Building built in 1924, needed to be carefully considered when designing the new structure.  Any new structure attached to the Thompson Building would need to be respectful of the older structure and compliment the historical language.

The new building's design features a long horizontal metal canopy which is a abstract continuation of the heavy cornice band atop the Thompson Building, thus unifying the two buildings.  The buildings are separated by a new glass lobby which acts as a mediating element between the old and new.  Proportions and rhythms of the new windows are taken as well from the Thompson Building.