The Computing and Information Science Building – the newest addition to the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information – has been recognized with the annual Susan Blumenthal Pride of Ownership award by the city of Ithaca and the Rotary Club of Ithaca.
Named after a former Ithaca Common Council member, the Blumenthal award recognizes exceptional development projects within Ithaca that improve local surroundings and elevate the city’s quality of life.
At nearly 135,000 square feet and located adjacent to Gates Hall at 127 Hoy Road, the Bowers building was designed by Boston-based Leers Weinzapfel Associates and constructed by LeChase Construction Services, LLC. It provides space for faculty, students, and staff from all three Cornell Bowers departments – computer science, information science, and statistics and data science. It opened in August, on time and on schedule, and was formally dedicated in October.
In granting the honor, the Pride of Ownership award selection committee, which includes local developers, architects, and realtors, cited the building’s strategic placement on Hoy Road: together with Gates Hall, the complex creates a welcoming and beautiful green space on the campus’s east side.
“We were also struck by the quiet yet complex simplicity of the facade standing up well to the more provocative design of the Gates building,” the selection committee said. “The two buildings work well together to frame the quad.”
Nominations for the award are made by members of the public, the Rotary Club of Ithaca and the Pride of Ownership Committee.