The UMass Amherst Design Center in Springfield
http://www.umassdesigncenter.blogspot.com/
The Design Center, an important element of the Greater Springfield-UMass Amherst Partnership, provides a physical presence for UMass in the heart of the city. In addition to a design studio, the building features storefront offices as well as market rate apartments on the upper floors. The Design Center’s location, in the heart of downtown, provides students with the important advantage of being within a few blocks of their work. As the Design Center grows we envision it as being filled with students, be a place for community gatherings and events, and a place that will help connect city residents with planning activities in their neighborhoods.
An important part of the mission of the Design Center is to encourage collaboration, both within the University and between the University and the Springfield community. The Design Center is off and running with a major collaboration between UMass Extension, the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, and the Art and Architecture program. These UMass Amherst programs are all working together, with the City of Springfield Planning Department to focus on revitalizing the cultural and commercial heart of Springfield.
Renovations on the 3-7 Elm Street, the oldest commercial building in Springfield, began in February 2010. Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno with Partnership Chair and UMass Amherst Dean John Mullin, speak with the press. Chancellor Robert Holub, takes the first whack.
The first Design Center studio projects began in the Spring term 2010. Michael di Pasquale, Director of the Design Center and Maryann Lombardi, UMass Amherst, Director of Creative Economy began occupying office space in the Design Center, July 2010.
