The Ridges have experienced some renovations in the past. Most of the original Scofield/Kirkbride structure, aside from renovations in Lin Hall, is in poor shape, especially the roofs and fascia. To repair them, the cost would be stunning.
Has anyone heard rumors of plans to tear the buildings down?
Imminent doom?
5 posts • Page 1 of 1
by sushi_geisha on Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:50 pm
my husband and i were there for our honeymoon in October and we got a special tour of the building. we asked about the parts that seemed to be not in the best shape and the head of the museum said that they were trying their best to get everything restored but she said that it was getting dangerous. we joined as members of the museum so we could get updates and donate money to help rebuild it and we haven't heard anything yet about them tearing it down. they are really trying to do the right thing there from the little bit i saw and i think they want to save all of it. it's beautiful to see in person.
xoxo
sushi geisha
xoxo
sushi geisha
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by craigmoyer on Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:00 am
In the 2007 Ohio University Master Plan, the Ridges is mentioned, as well as what they are planning on doing with it.
They are planning on eventually clipping the wings on the Kirkbride. They'll leave maybe the first wards, but the rest is going to go.
For those not interested in reading through the master plan, here you go:
click image for a full-sized view
click image for a full-sized view
They are planning on eventually clipping the wings on the Kirkbride. They'll leave maybe the first wards, but the rest is going to go.
For those not interested in reading through the master plan, here you go:
click image for a full-sized view
click image for a full-sized view
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by craigmoyer on Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:15 pm
Sad, yes, but the building is pretty useless in its current state. Construction methods at the time were much different than today, and material choices were somewhat limited. This resulted in several extremely wide interior load bearing walls, which cannot be modified. Not usually a big deal, but since the building's wings are so narrow, it makes interior modification impractical and expensive, if not impossible in some instances.
As it turns out, a lot of thought and time is put into building studies, and architects and engineers tend to know what they are talking about. If I recall, the building was studied after the State of Ohio turned it over, with the land, to Ohio University in the early 90's. Most of the building was found to be in good structural condition, which permitted reuse of much of it. Unfortunately, since the west wing has been largely abandoned and neglected since its closure in the 1970's, much of that side cannot be used.
To make matters worse, the feasibility of the Ridges to be used as a residence hall is not practically an option. In the master plan, a study is cited in which a large number of Ohio University's students were surveyed on choices of a new campus residence hall. The Ridges was a possible location, and it was voted as one of the least desireable locations to be a residence hall (mostly due to its proximity to the main campus, as well as topography).
There is much, much more information in the study, so I suggest you read that if you are inclined to do so.
By no means am I for demolishing, or clipping the wings of the Kirkbride, I am, however more inclined to favor a plan that puts good use to such a building. Kirkbride buildings were designed with a very specific purpose in mind, and are generally considered relics of the emergence of psychiatry as a legitimate medical field. They are museum pieces and buildings from a bygone era.
If you have any more questions about the Ridges, or other Kirkbrides, feel free to contact me directly by email, or just ask in this thread.
Craig Moyer
Undergraduate of Planning
University of Cincinnati
moyerce@email.uc.edu
As it turns out, a lot of thought and time is put into building studies, and architects and engineers tend to know what they are talking about. If I recall, the building was studied after the State of Ohio turned it over, with the land, to Ohio University in the early 90's. Most of the building was found to be in good structural condition, which permitted reuse of much of it. Unfortunately, since the west wing has been largely abandoned and neglected since its closure in the 1970's, much of that side cannot be used.
To make matters worse, the feasibility of the Ridges to be used as a residence hall is not practically an option. In the master plan, a study is cited in which a large number of Ohio University's students were surveyed on choices of a new campus residence hall. The Ridges was a possible location, and it was voted as one of the least desireable locations to be a residence hall (mostly due to its proximity to the main campus, as well as topography).
There is much, much more information in the study, so I suggest you read that if you are inclined to do so.
By no means am I for demolishing, or clipping the wings of the Kirkbride, I am, however more inclined to favor a plan that puts good use to such a building. Kirkbride buildings were designed with a very specific purpose in mind, and are generally considered relics of the emergence of psychiatry as a legitimate medical field. They are museum pieces and buildings from a bygone era.
If you have any more questions about the Ridges, or other Kirkbrides, feel free to contact me directly by email, or just ask in this thread.
Craig Moyer
Undergraduate of Planning
University of Cincinnati
moyerce@email.uc.edu
- craigmoyer
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:24 pm
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