Memorial Union Essay

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Memorial Union
One of the most magnificent structures on Iowa State University’s beautiful campus. Memorial Union. To most, it is the heart of Iowa State. From food and apparel, to books and events, Memorial Union has it all. This all couldn’t be possible without the perfect design of the building. Memorial Union has changed a lot over the years, but it has always kept the main eye-catching composition. It was designed in 1922, by a man named William T. Proudfoot, to honor alumni who served in World War I. (Architecture). Memorial Union is one of the most magnificent structures on Iowa State’s campus because of its unique history, bold design, and great values. The 316,713-square foot building makes it the third largest building on campus …show more content…

“The classic style architecture of the Memorial Union reflects the Greek and Roman influences employed by many architects, not only in America, but throughout the western world. Columns with Corinthian capitals, Palladian windows, triangular pediments, and formally balanced facades are a few noteworthy details denoting the classic style” (Architecture). Proudfoot kept the Greek and Roman theme by adding a large zodiac crest in the south entrance, which now today is still being preserved as students walk around it while walking through. With only three other buildings on campus, Beardshear Hall, Curtiss Hall, and McKay Hall, Memorial Union was put on the south end of campus to create a perfect central quad. The large frame and structure of the building makes it emerge from the …show more content…

Iowa State has added to the building multiple times over the time span, in fact the university is planning to have another addition in the next couple of years (Building). “In the Memorial Union's 80+ year history, eleven additions have gone on to all sides of the original structure, the most recent opening in the spring of 2008” (Building). This shows that the Memorial Union not only pays great attention to honoring our military alumni, but it also reflects the ISU Mission. Iowa State is a bold, goal setting, and intelligent school. The Memorial Union’s massive structure mirrors Iowa State’s bold attitude. Not very many schools have such large buildings as we do, and even though our Memorial Union is on of the best in the country, Iowa State still doesn’t settle. The University always wants to make it better and add things to it to make it even better than it was before. ISU doesn’t settle for good, they settle for great, and Memorial Union is

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