The Thayer School has posted aerial views of its new MacLean Engineering Sciences Center under construction.

The Valley News has more on the Trustees’ latest planning.   Deciding to build a new Varsity House alongside a new East Stand has allowed the school to include in its already-begun renovation of Alumni Gym the removal of the recent Manley varsity strength training center.   A student fitness center will take its place in the top of the gym, replacing the existing Kresge facility.

Dartmouth will build a new visual arts building on Lebanon Street east of the Hopkins Center according to a press release.   (See the Downtown Hanover Vision for a general idea of siting; Brewster Hall presumably will be demolished for this project.)   Studio Art and Film and Television Studies will move into the building when it is completed.   The Dartmouth reported during February 2004 that Machado and Silvetti Associates would design this building; the firm’s Matthew Oudens, project architect for an addition to the Getty Villa and the award-winning Allston Branch of the Boston Public Library (more images), is listed as the project architect.

Dartmouth will build a new east stand at Memorial Field adjacent to a three-level varsity fieldhouse according to a press release.   The building will overlook the football field and its upper level will have a good view of the game.   [Updated 06.18.2005.]

The Facilities Planning Office has posted plans for the ongoing major renovations of Alumni Gym designed by Lavallee/Brensinger Architects of Littleton, designers of the Labatts “beer academy” in Manchester.   The work includes installing a mezzanine in the old drill hall (the upper gym space) to create a fitness center there and replacing the squash courts in the Squash Courts building with multipurpose spaces.

Construction has begun on the South Block buildings, and Dartmouth’s real estate office has posted a plan of the site [pdf] and information about the individual buildings:

68, 72 South Main [pdf] is a commercial building that runs the full width of the South-Dorrance block, with its front facade divided to represent four different buildings at traditional scales.   Truex Cullins and Partners of Burlington, designers of corporate headquarters for Burton Snowboards and Ben & Jerry’s, designed the building.

UK Architects PC of Hanover designed an addition to the Gates House [pdf], formerly Big Green Cuts etc. but now moved back to 3 South Street to contain three apartments.

William Rawn Associates of Boston, designers of the Dreamworks SKG headquarters and earlier houses for Dartmouth, designed buildings containing residential and commercial spaces at 5 South Street (two apartments) [pdf], 7 South Street (six apartments) [pdf], and 9 South Street (four apartments) [pdf].

The school also will build at Five Currier Street.

The Valley News reports on the largest construction boom in recent memory, with $180 million in College and Town projects underway.