The College of Design plans to add a much-needed extension to increase resources for design students.

A new pavilion will house facilities such as studio classrooms, offices and workshops. Mark Engelbrecht, dean of the College of Design, said that this renovation has been planned for almost a decade with the knowledge that the growing student population would need it.

“We want all of the instructional space we need for students and faculty in one continuous space,” Engelbrecht said.

Many students are forced to take design classes elsewhere because of lack of space within the design building.

The new facility will allow the studio space to be moved from the Armory.

“Our goal is to get the 600 students out of the Armory,” Engelbrecht said.

The pavilion will be used mainly to house courses taken by first-year design students.

He said the college was committed to having the pavilion up and running by the fall of 2008.

Although the new design building will be used mainly for freshman activities, current design students are supportive of the addition.

Amanda Cox, senior in apparel merchandising, design and production, said that having freshmen in the building would be beneficial for them.

“Having first-year students within the design building will get them more involved,” Cox said.

Some design students were unaware that an addition was being planned.

Andrea Crouse, junior in apparel merchandising, design and production, said she had no idea the new facility would be built, but saw it as a positive step.

“It’s always good to support the arts,” she said.

The pavilion will take advantage of the natural surroundings, using “green” technology. Planners and architects will try to conserve energy by taking advantage of factors such as wind and natural light.

Green design also cuts back on the overall waste generated during construction and after the pavilion is put into use.

The College of Design hopes to raise $3.25 million to build the extension, and is receiving aid from the ISU Foundation, a nonprofit fundraising organization.

Approximately $1.63 million has already been raised, $1 million of which came from Barbara and Steven King, alumni of Iowa State.

The Kings stipulated that the extension project should use green design technology, Engelbrecht said.

Jenni Cushman, director of development design administration for the ISU Foundation, said that there is a special fund for the project.

“Things are moving fast and we hope to have [fundraising] done before building starts,” she said.

The name of the new extension has not been announced.