Architectural Modernism at the Texas A&M University Campus

Abstract

This project proposes to create a digital database of modern-era buildings on the TAMU campus of buildings built between the 1930s through the 1970s. This would allow a deeper appreciation of these less understood modern-era buildings that have not been as in-depth analyzed and studied as some of the older buildings from the campus. However, as these buildings become older than 50 years (the typical age for buildings to be considered ‘historic’ in the US), it becomes critical to gather both documentary evidence and develop analytical frameworks to renovate the buildings without losing their distinctive attributes. The research responds to relevant recent documents like the 2017 Campus Master Plan that drew attention to these buildings and advocated for more archival and analytical research into them. The research combines both primary archival and site research as well as information from secondary sources. Past written works about buildings on campus focus on the construction and general history of some buildings at the Texas A&M University campus. However, this project plans to add new layers of meaning to this existing information, in order to create a collective digital database consisting of architectural, historical and cultural significance of modern-era buildings on campus. The results of this will be a searchable inventory with general information on each building, including dates of construction, architect, builder, and construction methods, among others. A series of campus maps will also be produced to depict the chronological evolution and construction of the buildings. The expected outcome of the research project is to select a campus building from the modern-era and create an even more in-depth analysis. This will consist of locating, digitizing and summarizing the original construction documents from Cushing Memorial Library. It will also include drawings, photographs, and other relevant information about them that will help add to the understanding of their historical and cultural context and significance.