Woollen, Molzan and Partners
Encyclopedia
Woollen, Molzan and Partners (WMP) is a US-based second-generation architecture
, interior design
, and planning firm. The company was founded in 1955 by Evans Woollen. Published in numerous books, periodicals, and online resources, WMP's long history has resulted in a diverse portfolio
of experience in libraries, worship facilities, museums, performing arts
centers, housing
, and correctional facilities.
of Indianapolis chose Evans Woollen to design Clowes Memorial Hall, a 2,200 seat concert hall for the University and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
. It was the firm’s first major work and led to the design of a series of performing arts facilities.
Senior partners Lynn Molzan and Laurence O’Connor joined the firm in 1965. The firm name became Evans Woollen and Associates. The firm’s bank facility work continued in the 60s; however, it was joined by two significant commissions: the Minton-Capehart Federal Building in the "Brutalist
" style and with architectural art by Milton Glaser
— on Indiana World War Memorial Plaza
in Indianapolis
. and the Indiana University Musical Arts Center (Jacobs School of Music
) in Bloomington. The firm also started work on its first academic library
, for Marian College (Indiana)—a specialized design focus of the firm still today.
Retirement housing and communities became a major area of work in the 1970s. A project in Cincinnati, at the Pilot Center in the Over-the-Rhine
neighborhood became a milestone in its professional development. It was here that Evans Woollen and Larry O’Connor first initiated the firm’s “live-in” approach to design process and client participation, which continues today. Particularly satisfying to the firm was its work in New Harmony, Indiana
where it produced designs for an inn and the renovation of a community auditorium. In 1973, the firm incorporated and changed its name to Woollen Associates, Inc.
In 1979, and in the early years of the next decade, the firm began its design work at St. Meinrad Archabbey
, a Benedictine
monastery in Southern Indiana—one of only two Archabbeys in the United States. Its architectural designs included a new monastery and academic library and the historic renovation of the centerpiece Archabbey Church.
In the 1980s, churches, libraries, museums, historic renovations, and performing arts facilities were hallmarks of the firm’s work. The award-winning Cushwa-Leighton Library at Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
became the star of the firm’s academic library portfolio. Partner and Controller William Brady joined the firm in 1980. In 1982 the firm became Woollen, Molzan and Partners. Partner Kevin Huse joined the firm in 1985.
The 1990s began with the completion of the historic renovation of Hall Auditorium on the campus of Miami University
in Oxford, Ohio; and the firm began its work on the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
, the first all-new prison facility in Indiana in over 100 years. This project started the firm’s work in the correctional market.
Although a diverse portfolio since its establishment in 1955, the major work of Woollen, Molzan and Partners was focused on libraries and worship facilities. In April of 2011, the firm closed its doors.
, Urbana, Illinois
Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln, St. Meinrad Archabbey
St. Meinrad, Indiana
Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library
, Indianapolis, Indiana
Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
, Notre Dame, Indiana
Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana
Cushwa-Leighton Library, Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
, Notre Dame, Indiana
Grainger Engineering Library
Information Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
, Indianapolis, Indiana
Frank Moody Music Building, University of Alabama
, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Musical Arts Center, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Charles V. Park Library
and Information Services Center, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
David L. Rice Library, University of Southern Indiana
, Evansville, Indiana
St. Andrew Abbey Church, Cleveland, Ohio
St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, Westfield, Indiana
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Carmel, Indiana
St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Indianapolis, Indiana
Minton-Capehart Federal Building, Indianapolis, Indiana
Morris Library,Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
University Library, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
, Carlisle, Indiana
White River Gardens
, Indianapolis, Indiana
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, interior design
Interior design
Interior design describes a group of various yet related projects that involve turning an interior space into an effective setting for the range of human activities are to take place there. An interior designer is someone who conducts such projects...
, and planning firm. The company was founded in 1955 by Evans Woollen. Published in numerous books, periodicals, and online resources, WMP's long history has resulted in a diverse portfolio
Portfolio
Portfolio literally means "a case for carrying loose papers," ....
of experience in libraries, worship facilities, museums, performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
centers, housing
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
, and correctional facilities.
History
The firm’s early work centered on bank facilities, private residences, and churches. In 1960, Butler UniversityButler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
of Indianapolis chose Evans Woollen to design Clowes Memorial Hall, a 2,200 seat concert hall for the University and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is a major American orchestra based in Indianapolis, Indiana.Annually, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs 200 concerts for over 350,000 people. It is the largest performing arts organization in Indiana. The ISO is currently one of only 18 American...
. It was the firm’s first major work and led to the design of a series of performing arts facilities.
Senior partners Lynn Molzan and Laurence O’Connor joined the firm in 1965. The firm name became Evans Woollen and Associates. The firm’s bank facility work continued in the 60s; however, it was joined by two significant commissions: the Minton-Capehart Federal Building in the "Brutalist
Brutalist architecture
Brutalist architecture is a style of architecture which flourished from the 1950s to the mid 1970s, spawned from the modernist architectural movement.-The term "brutalism":...
" style and with architectural art by Milton Glaser
Milton Glaser
Milton Glaser is a graphic designer, best known for the I Love New York logo, his "Bob Dylan" poster, the "DC bullet" logo used by DC Comics from 1977 to 2005, and the "Brooklyn Brewery" logo. He also founded New York Magazine with Clay Felker in 1968.-Biography:Glaser was born into a Hungarian...
— on Indiana World War Memorial Plaza
Indiana World War Memorial Plaza
The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is an urban feature located in Indianapolis, Indiana, originally built to honor the veterans of World War I. The five-city-block plaza was conceived in 1919 as a location for the national headquarters of the American Legion and a memorial to the state's and...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. and the Indiana University Musical Arts Center (Jacobs School of Music
Jacobs School of Music
The Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, is a music conservatory established in 1921. Until 2005, it was known as the Indiana University School of Music...
) in Bloomington. The firm also started work on its first academic library
Academic library
An academic library is a library that is attached to academic institutions above the secondary level, serving the teaching and research needs of students and staff...
, for Marian College (Indiana)—a specialized design focus of the firm still today.
Retirement housing and communities became a major area of work in the 1970s. A project in Cincinnati, at the Pilot Center in the Over-the-Rhine
Over-the-Rhine
Over-the-Rhine, sometimes shortened to OTR, is a neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is believed to be the largest, most intact urban historic district in the United States. Over-the-Rhine was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 with 943 contributing buildings...
neighborhood became a milestone in its professional development. It was here that Evans Woollen and Larry O’Connor first initiated the firm’s “live-in” approach to design process and client participation, which continues today. Particularly satisfying to the firm was its work in New Harmony, Indiana
New Harmony, Indiana
New Harmony is a historic town on the Wabash River in Harmony Township, Posey County, Indiana, United States. It lies north of Mount Vernon, the county seat. The population was 916 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Evansville metropolitan area. Many of the old Harmonist buildings still stand...
where it produced designs for an inn and the renovation of a community auditorium. In 1973, the firm incorporated and changed its name to Woollen Associates, Inc.
In 1979, and in the early years of the next decade, the firm began its design work at St. Meinrad Archabbey
St. Meinrad Archabbey
Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Spencer County, Indiana, USA, was founded by monks from Einsiedeln Abbey on March 21, 1854, and is home to approximately 98 monks. It is one of only two archabbeys in the United States and one of 11 in the world....
, a Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monastery in Southern Indiana—one of only two Archabbeys in the United States. Its architectural designs included a new monastery and academic library and the historic renovation of the centerpiece Archabbey Church.
In the 1980s, churches, libraries, museums, historic renovations, and performing arts facilities were hallmarks of the firm’s work. The award-winning Cushwa-Leighton Library at Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It is located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community northeast of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States — as are the University of Notre Dame and Holy...
became the star of the firm’s academic library portfolio. Partner and Controller William Brady joined the firm in 1980. In 1982 the firm became Woollen, Molzan and Partners. Partner Kevin Huse joined the firm in 1985.
The 1990s began with the completion of the historic renovation of Hall Auditorium on the campus of Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Oxford, Ohio; and the firm began its work on the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility is a prison situated in south of Terre Haute, located in Carlisle, Indiana.-History:The Wabash Valley Correctional Facility was established in 1992....
, the first all-new prison facility in Indiana in over 100 years. This project started the firm’s work in the correctional market.
Although a diverse portfolio since its establishment in 1955, the major work of Woollen, Molzan and Partners was focused on libraries and worship facilities. In April of 2011, the firm closed its doors.
Selected Projects
ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center, UIUC College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental SciencesUIUC College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences is part of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is considered by some to be the top school of agriculture-related sciences in the world...
, Urbana, Illinois
Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln, St. Meinrad Archabbey
St. Meinrad Archabbey
Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Spencer County, Indiana, USA, was founded by monks from Einsiedeln Abbey on March 21, 1854, and is home to approximately 98 monks. It is one of only two archabbeys in the United States and one of 11 in the world....
St. Meinrad, Indiana
Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library
Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library
The Indianapolis Public Library is the public library system that serves the citizens of Marion County, Indiana, United States and its largest city, Indianapolis...
, Indianapolis, Indiana
Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It is located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community northeast of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States — as are the University of Notre Dame and Holy...
, Notre Dame, Indiana
Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana
Cushwa-Leighton Library, Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It is located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community northeast of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States — as are the University of Notre Dame and Holy...
, Notre Dame, Indiana
Grainger Engineering Library
Grainger Engineering Library
The Grainger Engineering Library is a library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Engineering dedicated to all disciplines of engineering at the University...
Information Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest children's museum. It is located in the United Northwest Area neighborhood on Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums. It is with five floors of exhibit halls...
, Indianapolis, Indiana
Frank Moody Music Building, University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Musical Arts Center, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Charles V. Park Library
Charles V. Park Library
Charles V. Park Library is the main library of Central Michigan University, named after librarian Charles V. Park. It is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The Clarke Historical Library is located within the library as well.-History:...
and Information Services Center, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
David L. Rice Library, University of Southern Indiana
University of Southern Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana is a public university in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. This publicly funded institution has been among the fastest growingcomprehensive state universities in Indiana. Record fall enrollment in 2010 reached 10,702...
, Evansville, Indiana
St. Andrew Abbey Church, Cleveland, Ohio
St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, Westfield, Indiana
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Carmel, Indiana
St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Indianapolis, Indiana
Minton-Capehart Federal Building, Indianapolis, Indiana
Morris Library,Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
University Library, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility is a prison situated in south of Terre Haute, located in Carlisle, Indiana.-History:The Wabash Valley Correctional Facility was established in 1992....
, Carlisle, Indiana
White River Gardens
White River Gardens
The White River Gardens are botanical gardens located adjacent to the Indianapolis Zoo at 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. The gardens are a part of the White River State Park....
, Indianapolis, Indiana