The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Ralph Murray Athletic Center

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Ralph Murray Athletic Center, Elmira College

Institution Name: Elmira College
Original/Historic Place Name: Athletic-Education Center
Location on Campus: NYS. Route 14, Veteran, NY
Date(s) of Construction:

1972	original construction Haskill, Howard

Designer: Howard Haskill
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Modern/post-WWII (Glossary)
Significance: education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation:

Walls:

Roof:

Function:

1972-present (2006)

gymnasium (includes ice arena, pool, basketball courts)

Narrative:
The construction of this building was a significant advancement for Elmira College. When Elmira College became co-educational in 1969 by admitting men, it needed to quickly improve its athletic facilities. The geodesic dome complex was an economical yet stunning use of resources to create a modern athletics complex for an old, traditional liberal arts college. The facilities three geodesic domes constitute the world's first geodesic dome complex. The style contrasts with the more traditional buildings on campus, representing an era in American higher education when single sex institutions went co-educational in order to survive.

References:

Dober, Richard P. Campus Architecture: Building in the Groves of Academe. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996.