McRobbie Graphic courtesy of Flad & Associates, Anderson Illustration Associates The Multidisciplinary Science Building Phase II, or MSB II, will provide approximately 65,000 square feet of space to IU Bloomington neuroscientists, biogeochemists, environmental scientists and other researchers whose work crosses the boundaries separating scientific fields. Graphic courtesy of RATIO Architects Student housing will replace the Ashton Complex near the corner of East 10th and Union streets. Ten buildings will provide apartment space, lecture halls and student services. Also getting the trustees’ nod is a 400,000-square-foot, 783-bed student housing and teaching complex that will replace IUB’s Ashton Hall and other buildings near the corner of East 10th and North Union streets in Bloomington.

The five-story Multidisciplinary Science Building Phase II, or MSB II, will provide approximately 65,000 square feet of space to IU Bloomington neuroscientists, biogeochemists, environmental scientists and other researchers whose work crosses the boundaries separating scientific fields. Flad and Associates of Madison, Wis., designed MSB phases II and I (Simon Hall is now under construction). The Indiana General Assembly has promised to offset $31.9 million of MSB II’s $42.4 million expected cost.

“The positive impact of this new space will be felt immediately by Indiana University faculty and staff,” said Michael McRobbie, IU vice president for research and information technology.

McRobbie commissioned a study last year that demonstrated an “urgent need” for more than 1 million square feet of new research space at IU Bloomington.

Like MSB I, the as-yet-unnamed MSB II will incorporate local materials, such as limestone and slate. MSB II will form a courtyard with the Psychology Building, the Kelley School of Business Graduate and Executive Education Center, and the Fee Lane parking garage. To make way for pedestrian paths, North Walnut Grove Street will no longer be open to vehicular traffic between East 10th Street and East 11th Street. MSB II will be built where the Service Building now stands, so tree loss will be minimal.

Also getting the trustees’ nod is a 400,000-square-foot (gross), 783-bed student housing and teaching complex that will replace IUB’s Ashton Hall and other buildings near the corner of East 10th and North Union streets. The new complex will consist of nine apartment buildings and a six-story, mixed-use commons that can be used for professional conferences during the summer. The commons building will have lecture halls, conference rooms, housing administration offices, a DVD rental shop, a convenience store and, on the top floors, apartments, lounges and study rooms. The complex was designed by RATIO Architects Inc. of Indianapolis. No stranger to IUB, RATIO designed the IU Foundation and Radio and Television Services buildings.

More extensive drawings and site plans are available at the Web sites below:

Multidisciplinary Science Building Phase II:
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/asset/page/normal/632.html
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/asset/page/normal/633.html
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/asset/page/normal/634.html

Student housing (Ashton replacement):
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/asset/page/normal/635.html
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/asset/page/normal/636.html
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/asset/page/normal/637.html