In the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA) at the University of Hartford, our students are not only learning key skills to pursue careers in these demanding fields, but they’re actually working on projects and making a real-life impact at the same time. This is true for fourth-year architecture students Andrew Petersen ’20, M’21 and Giancarlo Cano ’20 who were commissioned to build a 3D model of the highly anticipated Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum’s new 9,000 square foot Education and Visitors Center in Wethersfield, Conn., designed by Mellowes & Paladino. As museum staff discovered, discussing the new extension became much easier once a 3D model of the building was created to better engage members and the community at large and share the excitement of this new addition.
“I really enjoyed making this model and working with our great clients over at the Webb-Deane Museum,” says Andrew. “It was fantastic professional experience and practice to meet with clients and have a discussion on what they wanted to see in this model and how we would achieve that.”
The museum proposed the partnership opportunity to Architecture Graduate Program Director and Associate Professor of Architecture Seth Holmes, and Adjunct Professor of Architecture and Woodshop and Digital Fabrication Lab Manager Julie Chen, who recommended the two students for the project. Following a site visit and meeting with the museum staff, Andrew and Giancarlo created a physical model of the existing museum and its proposed addition. With the guidance of Holmes and Chen, the students were able to produce their model in the woodshop and digital fabrication lab right on campus. The students recently delivered the model to a delighted museum staff who plan to bring the model to community organizations, retirement communities, libraries, and churches as a presentation tool to engage the community.
The efforts of our architecture students and faculty have led to this strong partnership with the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum and The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Connecticut (NSCDA-CT), which has owned and operated the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum for 100 years. The museum staff were impressed with the work and professionalism of the students and the end result of their model. The College as a whole, including the individuals in our architecture department, look forward to continuing to partner with the organization on this exciting project.
Charbra Jestin, President of the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Connecticut (NSCDA-CT)The 3D model of the Education and Visitor Center at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum has given us a complete picture of our new building and brought to reality what was a dream on paper. We are thrilled to pore over its facades, roofline, and its situation on the property. From the moment the model arrived, it has helped us answer questions in construction team meetings, inspired us in fundraising meetings, and will be a significant resource in educating the public about the project. It brings more insight than we could have imagined.