The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Garden Apartments

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Garden Apartments (three-quarter view of one building in group), Ithaca College

Institution Name: Ithaca College
Original/Historic Place Name: Garden Apartments
Location on Campus:
Date(s) of Construction:

1971	original construction Tallman & Tallman

Designer: Tallman & Tallman
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Modern/post-WWII (Glossary)
Significance: architecture
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick

Roof: metal

Function:

Narrative:
These International Style dormitories, inspired by the work of Marcel Breuer, were originally painted white and sited to exploit views of the City of Ithaca and Cayuga Lake. To achieve this, the northernmost section of the complex is built into South Hill, while the taller structures to the south, which are three stories high, have balconies from which to enjoy local views. The buildings are being refurbished internally, and the buildings' red brick exterior has been exposed for the first time.

What has always made occupancy of the Gardens particularly appealing is that the structures are divided into independent apartment-style units; at the time (ca. 1970) this was a forward-looking approach to student housing. The pleasant and well-organized interiors feature International Style spatial organization.

References:

Harcourt, John B. The Ithaca College Story. Ithaca, NY: Ithaca College, 1983.

Hodne, Scott. The History of Ithaca College. Ithaca, NY: Ithaca College, 1991.

Sasaki Associates Inc. Ithaca College Master Plan Report. [Watertown, MA: Sasaki Associates Inc.], 2002.