SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - A studio aimed at bringing design students to Sioux City has not worked out as originally planned because of limited student interest, according to officials who hope to better utilize it.
The studio, an extension of the Iowa State University College of Design, was supposed to offer coursework in architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and urban planning when it was unveiled in 2007.
The satellite studio, which cost more than $500,000 to restore in a 1890s steam plant and can accommodate 20 to 30 students, has instead become a place for workshops, summer design camps and the occasional art show and program for ISU.
Few students have taken classes at the studio in the past several semesters due to limited student interest, spokeswoman Heather Sauer told the Sioux City Journal (https://bit.ly/1bZIXsi ).
“It just didn’t work out as we originally planned. … We are continuing to try to work with the community to better utilize it,” said College of Design Associate Dean Tim Borich.
One possible option is teaching historic preservation at the studio. ISU has hired a professor to teach the subject and officials are looking at programming options for Sioux City.
“We might have a class or two in Ames or a class or two in Sioux City,” Borich said. “It is a ways away.”
Nathan Kalaher, of PLaN Architecture in Sioux City, helped design the studio when he worked for M+ Architects. He said the studio was launched at a time of recession and that affected its use.
“It has a lot more potential than it has seen,” he said. “I still think it will reach the hopes I had.”
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Information from: Sioux City Journal, https://www.siouxcityjournal.com
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