Baughman Center

Infobox building
building_name = Baughman Center
native_building_name= Baughman Meditation Center


caption = The pavilion on Lake Alice.
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location = 982 Museum RoadPO Box 112548Gainesville, FL 32611-2548
owner = University of Florida
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completion_date = 2000
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floor_area = 2,482 SF
main_contractor = AD Morgan
architect = John Zona
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The Baughman Center consists of two buildings located along Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus. The main building is a convert|1500|sqft|m2|sing=on nondenominational chapel or pavilion, while the other one is a convert|1000|sqft|m2|sing=on administrative building. The chapel has seating for 96 people and is used for silent meditation, private contemplation, weddings, funerals and memorial services as well as a venue for small musical or performing arts events. [ [http://performingarts.ufl.edu/venues/baughman-center/ University of Florida Performing Arts - Baughman Center ] ] The center, named after Dr. George F. Baughman and his wife, Hazel Baughman, the benefactors of the project and is considered an oasis of calm and beauty on the bustling campus. [ [http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring04/Wallace/Baughman.htm A Unique University - Baughman Center ] ]

History

The Baughman Center was the brainchild of Dr. Baughman, a university alumnus, who was the first president of New College of Florida [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/10/obituaries/10baughman.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/S/Saxon,%20Wolfgang The New York Times > Obituaries > George F. Baughman, 89, First President of New College of Florida, Is Dead ] ] He was inspired by the picture of a building he found in a National Geographic magazine. The Baughmans donated $1 million dollars towards the project and after five years of planning, construction started. The building was completed in 2000. [ [http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring04/Wallace/Baughman.htm A Unique University - Baughman Center ] ] George Baughman died on December 24, 2004, and his memorial service was held in the center on December 30. [ [http://www.ncf.edu/publicaffairs/documents/Baughman.htm New College ] ]

Design [ [http://performingarts.ufl.edu/venues/baughman-center/ University of Florida Performing Arts - Baughman Center ] ]

The exterior walls of the pavilion are covered in windows and made of natural Florida cypress stained to resemble the surroundings plant life. The cypress is grooved vertically to give the appearance of individual tree trunks. The sloping roof of the pavilion is composed of tongue-and-groove yellow pine and copper to mimic the look of medieval cathedrals. The front door is made of maple with inlaid Gothic patterns in cherry and an ornamental architrave of crenelated mahogany. The floor is made of three shades of travertine marble arranged in a geometric pattern based on the building’s structure. The pavilion is oriented so that the dominant axis coincides with sunrise and sunset at the summer solstice.

References

External links

* [http://www.TravelingAround.com/lake_alice.html Baughman Center & Lake Alice Tour @ TravelingAround.com]
* [http://performingarts.ufl.edu/venues/baughman-center/ The official Web site for the University of Florida]
* [http://virtualtour.ufl.edu/pano/baughman.htm 360 Degree Panoramic View]