New Residence Hall at Otis College of Art and Design
“Finally, we have created a heart, a true center of this campus,” said Steven Ehrlich, Architect
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 29, 2016
A new Residence Hall and Academic Wing have opened at Otis College of Art and Design where classes for the 2016-17 academic year begin today. Transforming the Elaine and Bram Goldsmith Campus in Westchester, the project solidifies Otis College as an incubator for the next generation of artists and designers and a cultural destination for the Los Angeles region.
Jointly developed by the acclaimed Los Angeles-based architecture firms of Ehrlich Architects and Frederick Fisher and Partners, the new facilities include a Residence Hall, additional classrooms, updated dining hall, expanded the Millard Sheets library, a Student Health and Wellness Center, a 300-seat auditorium and more. The LEED-certified buildings complete the Campus Improvement Plan, which comes ahead of the College’s Centennial in 2018.
On Thursday, August 18, Otis College celebrated the opening of the Goldsmith Campus' Residence Hall and Academic Wing with a ceremony and tours of the new buildings. Elaine Goldsmith, Chair Emerita of the Board of Trustees, gave the closing remarks to members of the Board of Trustees, donors, and community partners. The Elaine and Bram Goldsmith Campus in Westchester is named in recognition of the couple's dedicated and passionate support of the college.
“Finally, we have created a heart, a true center of this campus,” said Steven Ehrlich, architect and member of Otis College’s Board of Governors at the ceremony. Otis College moved to the Westchester neighborhood in 1997, acquiring the 1964 IBM research facility designed by Eliot Noyes, that is now Kathleen Holser Ahmanson Hall. The College expanded again in 2001 by adding The Bronya and Andy Galef Center for Fine Arts, however the new facilities marks the first time that students will be able to live on the Goldsmith Campus and with the relocation of the Fashion Design program, campus life will be greatly enriched.
In addition to the architects and institutional leadership, other partners include builders DPR Construction, dining services provider Bon Appétit Management Company, and local art supply retailer Graphaids, which will manage an on-campus store.
The Otis College of Art and Design campus improvement plan was made possible by transformational donations from Elaine and Bram Goldsmith and our Board of Trustees, Mattel, Inc., The Ahmanson Foundation, The Fletcher Jones Foundation, Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Foundation, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and The Rose Hills Foundation as well as many other significant gifts from members of the Otis College community.
ABOUT OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide variety of visual and applied arts, media, and design. Core programs in liberal arts, business practices, and community-driven projects support the College’s mission to prepare diverse students to enrich our world through their creativity, skill, and vision. As Los Angeles’ first professional art school, visionary alumni and faculty include MacArthur and Guggenheim grant recipients, Oscar awardees, and design stars at Apple, Anthropologie, Pixar, Mattel, and more. The renowned Creative Action program has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for Community Engagement, and the Otis Report on the Creative Economy is a powerful advocacy tool for creative industries. The College serves the Greater Los Angeles Area through compelling public programming, as well as year-round Continuing Education courses for all ages. More information is available at http://www.otis.edu.