MUNCIE, Ind. — After searching for almost two years, Ball State University's Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning has found a new home away from home in downtown Muncie. The building has been a theatre, a bar, and even a department store, and now it's home to a new immersive learning space.
The E-CAP program has moved into the old Columbia Theatre building on Walnut Street, and it’s providing a space for not only students but the community.
“The Urban Planning Department is gonna have a repository, an interactive database, that people can come in and ask questions. Then we can explain what's happening for design and planning activities,” said Dave Ferguson, Dean of the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning.
The college is also working with the Center for Historic Preservation. They are involved in preservation projects that promote economic development and improve the quality of life for Midwestern communities. They also use the architecture of the area to teach history. The goal of the programs combined is to educate the community and give students real hands-on experience.
“Being down in downtown Muncie and having the opportunity to use examples. We take the students out on walks, we go around and look at examples, students can go out and do sketching in their notebooks: it's a great way for them to experience some of the things we are teaching in urban design, but they can experience it first hand,” explained Eric Mainzer, Assistant Teaching Professor of Landscape Architecture
Even though this is a tool for students to get experience, one student is grateful for the opportunities it brings outside of Ball State
“ I think this is a great portfolio/resume piece. I think being able to kinda work outside of the traditional studio space in education is a great way to expand your horizon.”
The immersive space will have an official grand opening during arts-walk on October 2. where community members are encouraged to visit and tour the space.
Contact Abby Urban with comments at abigail.urban@bsu.edu.
