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For nearly 30 years Maharishi University of Management has been a beacon of knowledge and coherence, yet the campus itself--a collection of aging buildings--hasn't adequately supported that leadership role. Now the campus is being reconstructed to reflect the high dignity of the knowledge and the University's key role in the world.
And the University is fortunate to be able to take advantage of a special approach to creating its new buildings--the science of Maharishi Sthapatya VedaSM design that the University's founder, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, has uncovered and restored to wholeness over the past two decades.
The new designs are being shepherded by architect Jon Lipman, who is Chief Architect for Maharishi Global Construction and Director of the Institute of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda Design. Jon was recently interviewed by Maharishi University of Management's Jim Karpen:
Jon, you were the architect for the Dreier Building. Now that we've used it for a year, we've been able to verify the benefits of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design. The experiences of the building's users have been tremendous, and we've seen a dramatic increase in good fortune and enrollment. But I understand that creating a master plan for the entire campus according to ideal Vastu has not been a simple matter.
That's right. As a first step the renowned expert in Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design Dr. Eike Hartmann analyzed those areas where it would be auspicious to build. He found that some areas of campus are not suitable but the south part of campus is excellent for larger academic buildings, and the north part is perfect for smaller residential buildings.
We saw that it would be a challenge to create a new campus to house upwards of 1,000 students in these limited areas. So we considered constructing the campus north of Fairfield near the Maharishi Center for Perfect Health and World Peace.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was consulted. He and University President Dr. Bevan Morris discussed the past decades and all that had taken place on campus, including the Taste of Utopia course, the thousands of people who have learned the TM-Sidhi® program here, and the extensive curriculum development that has wedded traditional knowledge with the knowledge of consciousness.
Maharishi concluded that our campus is now sacred ground and we should rebuild the new campus here.
What happened after that decision was made?
A University master-planning committee, working with architect Henry Clark AIA, specialized planning consultants, and me, worked out a detailed master plan for a campus of 1,000 students in which every projected building has been carefully placed within only the auspicious portions of the campus, taking into account as well the myriad of other elements that are a part of a successful master plan.
Because of the space constraints on this "sacred ground," Dr. Hartmann brought out new knowledge regarding Vedic principles that govern community planning and the placement of buildings that are required to be in close proximity to each other.
He evaluated carefully the exposure of each of the new building sites to the morning sun throughout the year; he has adjusted their precise placements so that each one of the new buildings is receiving a very satisfactory amount of morning light; and he has given his endorsement to each of the building sites.
Phase Two of our master plan, which includes four major projects, got off to a terrific start early last summer through the generosity of new Trustee Ted McLaughlin and his wife Barbara. They provided the complete funding for the new McLaughlin Building that will house the Department of Computer Science. Henry Clark was architect for the building's initial design, and I've been the architect of record.
The Computer Science co-op program is one of the engines fueling the University's explosive recent growth, and its new headquarters is being fast-tracked in order to ready it for use by this fall's incoming co-op students.
The McLaughlin Building has had some unusual needs for us to solve. For example, it will house many computer labs. Project Manager Tim Messenger calculated that the extra heat from these computers would require a massive air conditioning system in the summer. We therefore reduced the size of the west windows--which absorb the intense summertime afternoon heat of the sun.
I've seen renderings of the completed building, and you have created a very elegant façade.
Thank you, Jim. Actually, we intentionally began Phase Two by placing the McLaughlin Building in a visible location at the intersection of 4th Street and Robert Keith Wallace Drive so that the general public could watch the progress of the reconstruction as they pass by.
The third building in Phase Two, Maharishi Veda Bhavan, will be the home of the Department of the Science of Creative Intelligence and is located just to the east of the McLaughlin Building. Although fundraising for this building is continuing, construction is well along and the building should be completed this fall. Interior designer Sue Weller worked closely with the SCI Department to design the building's façade and layout, and I've been the project architect.
I've heard that there are new Vedic elements in the buildings that are going up.
Yes, these buildings will be clad entirely in very deep and beautiful Vedic ornament--pilasters, brackets, entablatures, cornices, and plinths. To the best of my knowledge no building has yet been built that so fully incorporates these perfectly dimensioned exterior Vedic elements. We anticipate that there will be powerful beneficial effects on the users of these buildings. And, the rich and deep ornament cladding on the McLaughlin Building will present a dramatic view to passers-by on Highway 1.
The design of the McLaughlin Building is serving as a model for all of the additional buildings that will be constructed. The new campus is going to be magnificent. Each building--with its rich Vedic ornamentation--will be a work of art. And all of the new buildings will blend together in one coherent design to create an even more magnificent work of art.
The third building in Phase Two is the new home for the College of Maharishi Vedic Medicine, which I've had the honor of designing. Under Dr. Robert Schneider's stewardship, the College expects to more than double in size within the decade, and we were not able to locate a large enough auspicious site on campus for the College's ultimate layout. Consequently, Dr. Morris recommended that it be located on Mandala Two of the Mandala Project where we have found a site with plenty of room for expansion. We plan to have the building completed by early autumn.
What can you tell us about the Men's Dome?
Generally it's not possible to achieve more than about 50% of the auspiciousness of a new building by reconstructing an existing building. However, the design team has worked out a scheme which will come close to radiating 100% of the positive influence of a new Vedic design. The plan involves replacing the building's existing round walls with a larger square enclosure. I want to especially acknowledge structural engineer Bill Matkin for working out a complex design that could "square the circle."
The University has committed most of the funds for the work on the Men's Dome, and members of the Super Radiance community have donated generously as well, but more donations are needed.
What's next?
Phase Three will include the construction of our first Vedic-design dormitories. Fundraising planning is under way, and we are hopeful that we will be able to build dorms soon.
Any final thoughts?
Maharishi instructed us to build for $60 a square foot. We thought this was an almost impossible goal, but the team has managed to do it sacrificing neither beauty nor the long-term soundness of the buildings.
A new history is being created on campus--buildings that will be monuments made out of durable, long-lasting, yet economical materials that will last for generations. This is a proper legacy for the profound knowledge at Maharishi University of Management.
Barbara McLaughlin also was eager to share her comments:
It's been very reassuring for Ted and me to work with David Todt, Tim Messenger, Bill Matkin, and Jon. A computer science building typically has lots of extras, such as additional wiring for the many computer stations and an advanced cooling system. David and Tim have done a first-rate, professional job of accommodating everything and still bringing the project in on budget.
I also think we are very fortunate to have Badger Contracting, with Dave Calhoun and his family, building the four projects. I'm really looking forward to seeing these buildings completed in their full glory. I think our entire community is going to be very pleased with the results.
