Monday, August 16, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section C·Page
Dean of architecture designs students' future
By Ben Embry
Kansan staff writer
John Gaunt sits in the architecture dean's office with his back to the windows, his body framed by a crisp summer sky on a rare 80-degree summer day. It's a sky that has changed often since Gaunt moved to Lawrence in 1994; turning hazy on sticky 90-degree days and dark and menacing during torrid thunderstorms.
It's an appropriate backdrop for Gaunt. Like the towering July sky, the dean of University of Kansas' School of Architecture and Urban Design has been through some considerable changes himself.
Gaunt, a Minneapolis native, has been a practicing architect for 28 years and a dean for the last four. Prior to 1994, he was with Ellerbe Becket, an international architecture firm, for 18 years, serving as the firm's president and CEO during his last six years there.
As Ellerbe Becket's CEO, he was the leader of a diversified design firm of about 1,000 employees in six national offices, including a design/build subsidiary. His job was primarily global marketing, which meant frequent trips to Asia, Europe and the Middle East to develop business relationships with international clients. He also was responsible for articulating the values, directions and objectives of the organization, and guiding its strategic development.
About five years ago, he chose to move on.
"I decided to take some time off and think about what I wanted to do next." Gaunt said. "Maybe I would write a book or sit on a mountaintop."
Six months later, Gaunt moved to a new home in rural Lawrence. As a professor, the setting was different, but not foreign. Gaunt taught at Columbia University before working for Ellerbe Becket.
"I've always had an active interest in
teaching architecture," he said. "My interest has always been there in terms of the combination of practice and teaching."
As dean, he has the responsibility for the strategic direction and management of the school. He is an administrator and teacher, bringing the school the benefit of his extensive experience in interdisciplinary professional practice.
In Gaunt's opinion, educators need to understand professional needs and should make changes while holding onto traditions that have worked well.
He believes that his students should take advantage of the entire university. That means attending performances at the Lied Center, viewing artwork at the Spencer Museum of Art and becoming acquainted with the university's library.
He thinks it's important for architects to have a broad-minded view of the world.
Gaunt's interest in architecture stemmed from his love of art and a regard for all things analytical and technical. After receiving his bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Minnesota, Gaunt pursued graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied with Louis Kahn, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century.
Under the tutelage of Kahn, Gaunt learned that for architecture to be successful, it must be grounded in the existence of humankind.
"Each design is an exploration of human need and use." Gaunt said. "Therefore, nothing is predetermined stylistically; everything is very philosophically based and contemplative."
As a result, Gaunt said that there needs to be an unequivocal balance between theory and practice at KU.
In the meantime, he jokes, he'll be enduring another blistering summer in rural Kansas.
Edited by Mike Miller
By Stephanie McCarty
Pictures of killer whales, strains of paper chains, and family vacation trinkets cover the walls and bookshelves of Minda Ryan's room.
Kansan staff writer
However, Ryan, Kansas City, Kan. senior, said that she would not be able to get away with this at home.
Dorm adornments display character
"My mom never allowed me to hang anything on my bedroom walls at home, unless it looked classy and neat," Ryan said. "When I moved up here, I could put as many ocean pictures on wall as I wanted."
Emily Best, Wichita junior, lounges in her dorm room in McCollum Hall. Best said she decorated her room to remind her of home. Students can decorate their dorm rooms, but must abide by the safety codes. Photo by Roger Nomer/KANSAN
Personalizing residence hall rooms proves to be an ideal way for many students to gain independence and privacy from their parents. With this sense of newfound freedom, students decorate their rooms with their own touches.
Although parents usually do not dictate how to decorate dorm rooms, roommates might. All of the rooms in KU residence halls, except Templin Hall, consist of a single room, which usually measures about 12 feet by 15 feet. Roommates often find themselves compromising about the wall and floor space.
Generally, dorm rooms are only furnished with a bunk bed, desk, chair, dresser and miniblinds. Anything else that the students want in their rooms must be bought with their own money.
"My roommate and I basically split the room in half so that our possessions did not get lost in each other's stuff," Ryan said. "My side of the room was decorated totally different than my roommate's side of the room, but we didn't care."
Emily Best, Wichita junior, said she wanted her room to look as if she were still at home.
"I like my room to look very homey." Best said. "I have drapes on the windows, and I bought carpet so that my feet wouldn't be cold on the tile floor. I also have a lot of pictures so that I don't get homesick."
While students are encouraged to dec
orate their rooms, they must remember to adhere to the safety codes. These codes can be found in the KU Department of Student Housing Handbook, which is distributed to all residence hall members at their first hall meeting.
"Candles, incense, toasters, and other cooking devices, except for microwaves, are not allowed in the dorms at all." Best said. "Also, anything that acts as an obstacle to doors is not tolerated for safety reasons."
Other rules require that straight pins be used instead of nails when hanging objects so that large holes do not damage the wood. If the maintenance department workers find that the surface is damaged at the end of the year, the students will receive fines and possible disciplinary action.
"We have to be careful about sticky-tack because it takes the paint right off the walls," Megan Heald, Lindsborg senior, said. "It is tempting at times to want to use the heavy-duty stuff
because most of the rooms have cinder block walls."
The housing handbook also states that decorations cannot consist of actual road signs and road construction barricades because it is against state law.
The only rule about having loud audio equipment and sound systems in students' rooms is that it cannot disrupt others.
"I had so much fun when I lived in Oliver Hall because the guys who lived in my hall did not care if I blasted my music and had the bass turned up," Jimmy Smith, Basehor junior, said. "In fact, my room was the place to go if you wanted to watch South Park or Ally McBeal on surround sound."
reggy Wright, owner of BorderLine, 820 Massachusetts St., said that her store was stocked with interesting home decor.
Students looking for decoration items can look for ideas in many Lawrence stores.
Edited by Mindie Miller
Red Lyon Tavern A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence
944 Mass. 832-8228
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- Starting pay $6.00 an hour
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Call or stop by any of our Dining Centers for an application. Ekdahl Dining 864-2260 Oliver Dining 864-4087 GSP Dining 864-3120
FUN & CASH
The Lied Center of Kansas
1999-2000 Season
BELL / BUSH / MARSHALL / MEYER
Friday, September 17, 1999, 8:00 p.m.
THE WHITEHEADED BOY
Saturday, September 25, 1999, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 26, 1999, 2:00 p.m.
MOSCOW STATE RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
AND CHORUS
Friday, October 1, 1999, 8:00 p.m.
SANKAI JUKU
Tuesday, October 5, 1999, 8:00 p.m.
PERLMAN / NIKKANEN / BAILEY PIANO TRIO
Sunday, October 17, 1999, 3:30 p.m.
STATE BALLET OF MISSOURI
Tuesday, October 26, 1999, 8:00 p.m.
SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE:
THE SONGS OF LEIBER AND STOLLER
Wednesday, October 27, 1999, 8:00 p.m.
LYON OPERA BALLET IN Carmen
Wednesday, November 3, 1999, 8:00 p.m.
1776
Friday, November 12, 1999, 8:00 p.m.
CHANTICLEER
Sunday, November 14, 1999, 3:30 p.m.
PORGY AND BESS
Saturday, November 20, 1999, 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: THE MUSICAL
Friday, December 10, 1999, 7:00 p.m.
THE BOYS CHOIR OF HARLEM...CHRISTMAS TOUR
Friday, December 17, 1999, 8:00 p.m.
You Come First
Student tickets on sale NOW!
THE BREATHING SHOW-BILL T. JONES SOLO
Friday, January 28, 2000, 8:00 p.m.
SCHOLASTIC'S THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS™-LIVE! IN
A Bright Idea
Saturday, January 29, 2000, 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
CAMELOT
Thursday, February 3, 2000, 8:00 p.m.
THE WATTS PROPHETS
Friday, February 11, 2000, 8:00 p.m.
NEW YORK'S ENSEMBLE FOR EARLY MUSIC IN
Sponsus: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
Sunday, February 13, 2000, 3:30 p.m.
VICTOR VICTORIA
Wednesday, February 23, 2000, 8:00 p.m.
THE ST. PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA WITH
ANDRE' WATTS
Tuesday, February 29, 2000, 8:00 p.m.
NEW YORK CITY OPERA NATIONAL COMPANY IN
The Barber of Seville
Sunday, March 12, 2000, 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.
AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Sunday, April 2, 2000, 3:30 p.m.
DONALD BYRD'S JazzTrain
Friday, April 7 & Saturday, April 8, 2000, 8:00 p.m.
For Dancers Only: LINCOLN CENTER
JAZZ ORCHESTRA with Wyton Marsalis
Wednesday, April 19, 2000, 8:00 p.m.
ANNIE
Monday, April 24, 2000, 8:00 p.m.
EMERSON STRING QUARTET
Saturday, April 29, 2000, 8:00 p.m.
www.ukans.edu/~lied
For tickets or more information please call The University of Kansas
School of Fine Arts Lied Center of Kansas Box Office at
(785) 801-8188 (785) 801-7771 ITY
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