Northwestern’s Norris: Its History, Appeal, and Future on Campus
Students share mixed reviews on Norris Center’s architecture.
Northwestern’s Norris University Center is a striking concrete giant overlooking Lake Michigan at the southeast end of campus. A central hub for student life on campus, the building is home to the headquarters of major student groups such as Northwestern’s Associate Student Government (ASG), the campus bookstore and also houses spaces for dining and recreation.
Designed in 1971 by architect Edward D. Dart, Norris is a prime example of the Brutalist architectural style. Defined by thick slabs of exposed concrete, small windows and an imposing structure, this approach came to dominate architectural trends from the early 50s to the late 70s. University Library, Nathaniel Leverone Hall, and Pick-Staiger Concert Hall are only a few of the many examples of this style on campus.
This architectural form became extremely common for institutional buildings in the second half of the twentieth century, and Brutalism still dominates both American and European university campuses, government centers and even residential buildings.
“The word ‘brutalist’ originates from the word for ‘raw concrete’ in French,” Ingrid Zeller, a Northwestern German professor with a strong interest in international architecture, said. “The style became popular as a contrast to the playful, ornamental styles at the beginning of the 20th century. Modernists departed from the classical style as a statement; this new industrial society was not particularly interested in aligning itself to the standards of the Greeks and Romans.”
Aesthetic and ideology, however, were not the sole factors behind the broad implementation of this architectural trend.
“The emphasis on grid-like patterns rather than ornamentation made Brutalist buildings affordable and relatively easy to construct while still appearing bold,” Professor Zeller continued.
While popular half a century ago, several current students regard this style as dreary and unappealing.
“The campus would really look a lot better if Norris and the other concrete buildings on campus were replaced,” Kate Lawson, a Weinberg first-year, said. “I try to avoid Norris as much as possible, and I would study at Deering over [University Library] any day of the week.”
The building’s design also seems to be in need of updates, a concern for once-prospective Northwestern students like McCormick freshman Jake Wheeler.
“When comparing colleges, I was least impressed with Northwestern’s student center,” Wheeler said. “It seems like an outdated venue to host student life at such a great college.”
Although many are dissatisfied with Norris based on its visual appeal and functionality, students like Weinberg sophomore Sonia Bhattacharyya, however, value the building’s charm and take advantage of its welcoming atmosphere:
“I don’t pay much attention to the outside of Norris,” said Bhattacharyya. “It’s a great place to study with friends after classes. I love [the Starbucks on the building’s first floor] as well as restaurants like Mod and Asiana, where students can eat using their meal exchange.”
Weinberg freshman Victor Rodriguez shares a similar opinion, praising Norris for its unique environment:
“The smell of coffee, the constant bustle of students, faculty, and visitors — it all comes together to make Norris the remarkable place that it is.”
This variety of opinions is not new: student groups proposed a new center a decade ago, and plans for a modern replacement were unveiled in 2016. However, the project is on hold as the university continues to look for a donor. For now, the glossy model of the new center, designed by New York based firm Ennead Architects, sits untouched on the Norris ground floor.
While last year’s budget deficit seemed to be a roadblock for the project, hopes are up as President Morton Schapiro announced that Northwestern was once again in the green for the 2019 fiscal year.
No reports of large-scale donations to the project have yet been released, but improved university financial health will be key to breaking ground on the new student center.
When completed, the new student center will certainly have a more contemporary appeal, but students can only hope that the new commons is able to recreate the welcoming ambiance Norris boasts today. Indeed, the style of the building is the result of a contentious architectural movement, yet, for many, it is the environment that Norris fosters, rather than its facade, that is of true importance.
