UI architecture across campus

The United States East Coast, King Henry VIII’s castles and the innovative research the University of Idaho conducts may not appear to have any overlap, but they are just some of the influences the Moscow campus uses in the architecture of its buildings. The layout of the campus shows its practicality of the original designers, while hidden pieces of Idaho history are scattered throughout the landscape.  

The Administration Building is surrounded by a large lawn, towering trees and red brick campus buildings. Modeled after one of King Henry VIII’s castles, the plan was to make the building two times the original size. Although, after months of construction, it was knocked down to its current structure.  

The admin is one of the first buildings students notice after their arrival on campus. UI history student, Theresa Geray, spends most of her time attending several of her classes in the eye-catching building. Students walking to class at the admin or buildings nearby can greet each other on Hello Walk. The pathway that connects the lower half of campus with the admin side.  

Phillip Mead, an associate architect professor at UI remarked that the landscape of Hello Walk and Admin Lawn as reminiscent of an East Coast campus. The Olmsted Brothers, an architectural firm formerly based in Massachusetts, designed the layout. The Olmsted Brothers were most notably known for designing Central Park in New York.  

Famous visitors to the UI campus include Eleanor Roosevelt, Charles Curtis and Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt established the U.S. Forest Service during his presidency. His visit to campus in 1911 was significant to UI because of the natural resource and wildfire management programs at the university.  

After esteemed visitors came to campus, trees were planted in their honor. The Administration Lawn hosts several of the massive pines.  

The original Administration Building burnt down in 1906 but was rebuilt under the UI presidency of James Alexander MacClean. MacClean hired Boise architect, John Tourtellotte, after his work designing the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise. Mead said that enlisting help from the Olmsted Brothers was also MacClean’s idea.  

“He was a real dreamer,” Mead said.  

After the Admin Building was replaced, the university felt safe in its position as the flagship school of the state and wasn’t concerned about being moved to southern Idaho. After the Admin Building was replaced, the monumental structure contributed to the solidification of UI remaining in Moscow. There were concerns in the early years that the university would be moved to southern Idaho, but the new structure stood as a testament to the university’s permanence.  

Morill Hall, formerly an agricultural science building, was named after a senator from Vermont for establishing land-grant status. Adjacent to the Admin Building is the Niccolls Building. Formerly it was the College of Mines. Since Idaho was known for mining, it was an essential part to the campus and natural resource programming at UI.  

Mead said several of the older buildings are collegiate gothic, while some of the newer buildings on campus embrace a classic collegiate style. One of the key features that links buildings on campus together is the dominant use of brick.  

The Student Union Building used to be synonymous with the Bruce Pitman Center on the eastern side of campus. The renovations of the Student Union, now the Idaho Student Union Building, occurred in 2000. The ISUB resides in the center of campus, now a hub for classrooms, student-led organizations, a food court and officer rooms. Mead said he enjoys walking through campus buildings, including the ISUB, to see what’s new in the buildings and observe campus events.  

The UI Library building, another central area for students gathering to study and learn, has been remodeled since its original build. Although, small glimpses of its history can be seen hidden on the outside, on detailed concrete panels.  

UI’s status as a research university is evident in the building of the Integrated Research and Innovation Center. The IRIC, a newer structure on campus, was built with the intent of showcasing ongoing research projects. It has wide-open hallways with windows into research rooms.  

The IRIC is quite modern compared to many buildings on campus. Large windows throughout the building emphasize its purpose of demonstrating the research happening within its walls.  

The campus architecture and style of buildings has influenced students individually as well. Izabel Castro, an architecture student at UI, said her favorite buildings include the Administration Building and Memorial Gym.  

“I love the architecture of those buildings and the history they held,” Castro said.  

Another UI student, Jake Miller, prefers the Lionel Hampton School of Music building. He said the building appears medieval-like, which he enjoys.  

UI has two outdoor arboretums, adding to the landscape of the campus. The old Shattuck Arboretum is located between Nez Pearce Drive and the Administration Building. Various paths inside the heavily forested area create trails for walkers. While the new  Arboretum & Botanical Garden, adjacent to the old arboretum on the other side of Nez Pearce, hosts exotic plants, trees and flowers from around the world.  

“I really enjoy that we have the arb near campus,” Castro said. “I love taking walks there during the spring and fall because of how pretty the landscape is during those times.” 

The original buildings, combined with the landscape and new structures, create a diverse campus with a variety of styles.  

Sierra Pesnell can be reached at [email protected]