As plans for the new University Center develop, faculty and students speculate whether the building will actually be the "crown jewel" of the campus as touted by University officials, or if it is just one more example of unimaginative architecture on campus.
James Williamson, a University of Memphis architecture professor and principle at Williamson Pounders Architects, said the architecture as a whole at The U of M needs a shot in the arm.
"I don't think it inspires either the students or the faculty," Williamson said. "It doesn't stretch their imagination or challenge them with something new."
Some U of M architecture majors agree that the architecture on campus isn't very creative.
"I wouldn't say there's anything spectacular about the buildings around here," said Kyle Murry, a second year architecture student.
Sophomore architecture major Latoya Oliver said the buildings at The U of M are old compared to other universities in the area.
Professor Williamson said he believes that architecture can challenge people and make them think.
"It does on some campuses but not here," he said.
Two local architecture firms, Fisher & Arnold and The Haizlip Firm, have been selected in a joint venture to design the new UC. Construction on the project will begin after the end of the spring semester and when the old building is torn down.
Howard Glatstein, a principle at Fisher & Arnold, demonstrated his firm's design capabilities to The U of M.
"We talked to them over a period of months about the possibility to get recommended to do the project," he said.
According to Glatstein, the Tennessee Board of Regents institution recommends which firm they want to design a building to the State Building Commission. The State Building Commission reviews the applicants and makes a decision.
When a project exceeds a monetary level, the State Building Commission selects two firms to venture and divide the responsibilities that come with designing a building.
According to Bill Anderson, construction manager at the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss' 30-year-old student union was built with state money and handled through the Bureau of Buildings.
The Bureau of Buildings interviewed applicants and made their selection, a procedure similar to the TBR designer selection process. The architects chosen for the job have to be licensed in the state of Mississippi.
Location also plays a role in which architects are chosen in Tennessee in the design selection process.
Jerry Preston, Tennessee Board of Regents Executive Director for Facilities, said the State Building Commission makes sure the selected architects come from the same region as the project.
"We like to make sure the work is spread out all over the state and let as many people take advantage as possible," he said.
The size of the architecture firm and project, the nature of that project and the expertise a firm possesses all play into the designer selection process. A firm has to be available and able to accommodate the work if they are selected for a job.
James Williamson's partner, Louis Pounders, acknowledges there's a political component to the process when certain architecture firms lobby for projects over other firms.
"It is more common for firms across the state to call on members of the State Building Commission and express their interest," he said.
After Fisher & Arnold heard they had been selected to design The UC, their architects met with students to get their feelings on how the new building should look.
"We take those comments and feelings and try to turn it into a building," Glatstein said. "We hope when we're through that the building meets their expectations."
Williamson thinks the design of the new UC is a step in the right direction.
"The red brick is being used to help make a connection to other buildings on campus," he said.
Latoya Oliver had a positive reaction after looking at an artist's rendering of the new UC building. However, she said she may be biased because she's loyal to The U of M.
"It's the only one (building) I've seen that tries to step out into the field of architecture and make it better for students," she said.
