A New Look for the AMU Campus

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Published on Wednesday, 16 July 2014 23:21

Students returning to Ave Maria University for the fall term will find a different-looking campus than the one they left in May.

Several buildings are being repainted in a variety of lighter shades, replacing the uniform appearance of the natural concrete.

"It will have more common south Florida colors, similar to the town center and Naples style," said Nathan Morris of the AMU physical plant operatoins.

Six different colors will be used, Mr. Morris said, to highlight the architecture.

The first buildings to get a makeover will be the two dormitories closest to Ave Maria Blvd, the library and the academic building.

In addition to jazzing up the appearance of the campus, the work was necessary to cover damage to the walls of the building caused by the destructive Creeping Fig, which was planted to give the appearance of ivy-covered walls but wound up damaging the buildings.

For now, Mr. Morris said, only buildings from which the Creeping Fig was removed will be painted, and the entire project will take several months.

The AMU campus building designs are based on the Prairie School architectural style which was greatly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, in whom AMU founder Tom Monaghan has a particular interest.

Picture top right by Ginger Rappley; pictures right and above by Bob Wunker.