Doudna architect Antoine Predock describes inspiration for arts center
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
Jeffrey Lynch said when architect Antoine Predock interviewed for the Doudna Fine Arts Center project, he “literally blew (the committee’s) socks off.”
Lynch, associate dean of the College of Arts and Humanities , said about 60 architects bid for the building; five of those architects were brought to campus for interviews.
Predock was one of them.
“The selection process was essentially over after that interview,” Lynch said. “He was a man who got exactly what we were after, he brought an enthusiasm and creative energy that I’d like to think was contagious. And Antoine has delivered the kind of building that we really were hoping for.”
The internationally renowned architect presented a lecture at 2 p.m. Saturday about his inspiration and concept for the recently completed Doudna Fine Arts Center.
“This is a bit autobiographical,” Predock said. “The culmination of this building for me represents 50 years of architecture, starting from when I began my studies in architecture.”
During the lecture, Predock shared some of his sketches of landscapes and buildings in foreign countries, as well as images and ideas that inspire him as an architect.
As he traveled to different countries, Predock said he was constantly soaking up his surroundings and drawing.
Throughout his career, theater, dance, painting, poetry, engineering and even his own experiences scuba diving have all influenced his work, Predock said.
“Here we are in a building that does all that,” he said. “So this is really a dream come true to be able to work with an interdisciplinary client body that represents all the arts. It’s kind of a homecoming to me.”
Eastern’s history, along with the agricultural and industrial culture in East Central Illinois, helped shape Predock’s vision for Doudna.
The dark color of the building was chosen partially because Predock said he wanted to move away from the typical blonde brick towards a deeper, richer color.
The copper on the building will change color over time, and may eventually go green, he said.
Amanda Jahrling, a 2007 Eastern graduate, said upon seeing the finished Doudna Fine Arts Center, she was a little jealous.
“We were stuck out in (Art Park West), I never even saw the old building,” Jahrling said. “But after seeing it, it’s kind of your dreams being realized for the school. ”
While she was at Eastern, Jahrling said her professors would constantly talk about the building, always animated and excited. She said while she is disappointed she graduated before the center was finished, she’s excited for the opportunities Doudna will present to future Eastern students.
After hearing Predock speak on Saturday, Jahrling said Doudna seems more unique to her.
“He takes in everything from here,” Jahrling said. “He talked about inspiration from the corn fields and I think that it really fits. Just hearing about it and seeing his other work, you can tell it’s truly one of a kind.”
Cate Borzi, a Charleston resident and former student of architecture, said Predock’s lecture increased her appreciation of the building.
Borzi said it was helpful to hear specific forms of logic and inspiration that Doudna blossomed from.
As she has explored the building, Borzi said she’s realized it’s impossible to become bored in Doudna.
“Everybody feels a little lost when they’re in a new building, and this new building in particular,” Borzi said. “But the flipside of that is that you walk through this building again and again and there’s always something new to see and explore.”
Lynch said the Doudna Fine Arts Center isn’t just a building, but a kind of experiential architecture.
“(Predock) wants you to wander the building,” Lynch said. “Most buildings we walk through get to the other side, get out to the parking lot, whatever. This building ensnares you. It’s almost a dance as you go through the building.”
And as students, faculty and community members “dance” through Doudna, Predock said he hopes they find many pleasant surprises.
Tags: architects, arts and humanities, associate dean, brick, copper, creative energy, culmination, east central illinois, fine arts center, foreign countries, homecoming, industrial culture, landscapes, renowned architect, s vision, selection process, sketches, surroundings, theater dance