STEWART REICH a r c h i t e c t u r e 

The pioneers and settlers of the western front of the United States have a rich history, especially in the Montana Territory.  Bozeman, Montana played a major role as a hub for networking, wagon trails, and railroads across the Big Sky Country.  As a result of this expansion,  Montana State University, a Land Grant institution, was founded. 

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This region has many ties to Pioneers and local Native American tribes, and celebrates this great heritage with pride.  However, with all of this rich history, the opportunities for presenting and sharing are limited, due to lack of space.

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On the east side of campus, lies an area that would be advantageous for such an opportunity.  The site, which is adjacent to the primary east entrance onto the campus mall, is full of circulation and activity.  This site would be a prime location for celebrating and capturing intrigue from daily passerby's.  Additionally, a trail path has been created by students who regularly cut through the site to exit and enter campus.  Embracing this as a form of circulation is vital to making the facility "engaged" in the site, instead of just simply being "at" the site.

 

The program:  Consisting of three main spaces (Pioneer Museum expansion, MSU history, and community/student exhibition space) the program blends together in a cohesive and seamless transition from each space.  The theme of the program is "Timeline."  This timeline is synonymous with the act of using the facility.  Patrons enter in the building and walk through a continuous "trail" that leads into a new portal of time, and displays and celebrates the local and regional history, that make up the fabric of the community.

 

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