The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Bishop Anthony M. Pilla Student Learning Center

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Bishop Anthony J. Pilla Student Learning Center, Ursuline College

Institution Name: Ursuline College
Original/Historic Place Name: Bishop Anthony M. Pilla Student Learning Center
Location on Campus:
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

2000-2001

original construction Bialosky, Jack Jr.

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: pre-cast

Walls: "ursuline blend" brick; polychromed brick tapestry (at entry points); precast stone (trim)

Roof: none specified

Function:

ca. 2001-present (2007)	other (Ursuline College Accelerated Program, UCAP, an accelerated degree completion program for working adults)
ca. 2001-present (2007)	other (café, high tech computer lab facilities, nursing laboratories, and bookstore)
ca. 2001-present (2007)	classrooms (tiered classroom and traditional classrooms)
ca. 2001-present (2007)	faculty offices

Significance: architecture, education, history
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
The Student Center is the first building in the Cleveland Diocese to be named after the current bishop, Anthony M. Pilla. A two-story brick building designed by Jack Bialosky, it is unique because it does not have a back; instead, its four "fronts" face the lake, the quad, the internal campus road, and the dormitories. An abstract stained glass window designed by the chair of the art department, Sister Diane Therese Pinchot, O.S.U., overlooks the Piazza Libera (atrium) where students gather.

The building of Pilla Student Center initiated a visual and geographic shift on the campus. The relocation of many student events from Mullen to Pilla encourages broader student interaction. This goal was of particular importance to the college community because the population now includes not only traditional students who reside on campus but also full- and part-time commuters, non-traditional undergraduates, and graduate students.

Bialosky received an award for Outstanding Building-Post-Secondary from the 2002 Architectural Portfolio/A & U Magazine design competition.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

None specified.

II. Location of other data:

University: Facilities Management Office