Photo credit: Stephanie Mason/The Beacon
Daniel Uria/Staff Writer
Students passing through the Deuxieme Maison building recently may have be surprised by the new look of one of FIU’s oldest buildings. French for second house, the building was the second building constructed on the University’s campus. Over time, its age led to it becoming one of FIU’s most overlooked and underappreciated spaces. This was until Associate Professor and Chair of FIU Landscape Architecture Roberto Rovira, along with a team of four students, decided to give DM a much needed update.
The new renovations have taken the name “sky lounge,” a title which serves to sum up the design of the new additions.
“The design creates a flexible space within the courtyard that can serve for quiet study, conversation, contemplation, gathering and occasional presentations,” said Rovira. “It takes advantage of the space’s dramatic four-story height, while being mindful of the constraints of existing infrastructure underground.”
Rovira explains that he and his team have transformed the four-story classroom building from a space that was once dull and boring, into a relaxing sanctuary that’s also quite easy on the eyes. “The gentle sway of the nets above, the texture of recycled blue glass on the ground, the blue flowering vines that climb from the base of the four columns in the space, and the delicate ‘air plants’ that seem to float in mid-air, lets one’s mind wander and help frame the sky,” said Rovira. “That said, the view looking down from the upper floors is also quite special, especially when it’s full of students.”
According to Rovira, the idea to revitalize DM came from the 2010 Open Space Charrette, a series of architecture competitions seeking to transform some of the buildings most suited for this kind of extreme makeover. “Some of the overall goals were to create safe, accessible spaces that promoted interaction and that advanced a sense of community and livability on campus,” said Rovira.
Ultimately, DM became the building chosen, but some roadblocks kept the renovations from getting started. Issues with the cost and practicality of some of the early designs stalled the project for two years, until Rovira came along. “As a final alternative, I volunteered to design the space in the Spring of 2012 and selected a group of four students from the original charrette team to assist me in the process,” said Rovira. “I chose to focus on the interior courtyard portion of the project while still trying to meet the goals and aspirations of the original charrette.”
One of the students chosen for the team was Martina Gonzalez, who assisted in designing the sky lounge benches through a furniture-making course. “In that course I was able to make a prototype of the benches that you see in the sky lounge,” said Gonzalez.
She also speaks highly of Rovira as a professor as well as a project manager. “Roberto Rovira has, since day one, encouraged and challenged skills in fabrication,” said Gonzalez. “He has given me opportunities that have increased my abilities with wood making, always finding an opportunity to connect that passion of mine with my landscape architecture studies.”
Rovira and his team are proud of the work that they have done and are excited by the positive early reception of the new Deuxieme Maison building. “I can’t think of a more satisfying process than to see the complete transformation of the space which makes people’s faces light up when they enter the courtyard and are surprised by the contrast of old and new,” said Rovira.
Gonzalez believes that although adjustment to change is difficult for some, students will find themselves visiting sky lounge again and again. “Even when people seem reluctant about the changes, I believe everyone will revisit this space more than twice and find it a refreshing place to be,” said Gonzalez. She was also very pleased with the opportunity to make a lasting change to the landscape of her University saying, “I think FIU embraces hard working students, an aspect that I am honored to benefit from.”
daniel.uria@fiusm.com
About Post Author
