Local NPR station, KUAF, has launched a capital campaign to raise 1.5M for a new facility. The proposal includes renovating the white-painted concrete-block building across from the Blair Public Library (formerly David’s restaurant and Cooper Architects). Renderings of the proposed renovation and new additions are up on a banner across the street from the library, and upon closer inspection, you might be underwhelmed. The bewildering factor is that the same Minneapolis firm that designed the public library has taken a pro bono stab at envisioning the new KUAF, but seem to not like their previous design enough to acknowledge it. It is better to hear the goals and ambitions for the ‘On the Move’ campaign directly from the source.

In the Fayetteville community we like to see local institutions grow and prosper and continually become a more established part of where we live. KUAF has moxie, but not necessarily a building proposal that will ‘increase community outreach’. One might ask, ‘Where are the people?’

Well someone did ask and if you want to read the architectural rant, give up the next couple of minutes to do so.

The basics boil down to:
1) not being very excited by the imagery, not to the point of giving money.
2) community presence doesn’t imply turning your back on the public library and omitting people from your inspirational imagery.
3) a roof colored green is not exactly what all the ‘green‘ fuss is about.

Nevertheless, many of us will give money to the ambitious campaign because KUAF does a fantastic job of providing a noble service to our community. Thus, they deserve a noble facility. It has been learned that KUAF intends to select a LOCAL firm by mid-summer to move forward with the project. Let’s hope for something worthy of the cause. Hey, sustainability is a hot topic and we don’t need any more bad buildings (talking about you Legacy)…what do you think?