Carnegie Mellon University

Simonds Principles

New Construction, Major Renovations and the Simonds Principles

Consistent with Pillar 6 (Finance and Infrastructure) of the 2008 Strategic Plan and the 2012 Institutional Master Plan, the Simonds Commission was empaneled in the spring of 2012 to develop guiding principles for new construction and major renovations, with a particular focus on the northwest corridor.

The Simonds Commission met from April 2012 through February 2013, drafting and refining design principles.  Draft principles were presented to the full board, the Property and Facilities Committee and the Educational Affairs and Enrollment Committee at the November 2012 and February 2013 meetings.

The Simonds Principles (provided below) were approved by the Simonds Commission in February 2013, were adopted in principle by the Property and Facilities Committee in May 2013 and were approved by the full Board of Trustees at the May 2013 meeting. 

Faculty and staff should use the principles to ensure that new construction and major renovations, while remaining true to their immediate purpose, are a constructive and contributive part to the larger whole that is the Carnegie Mellon footprint and influence.  The principles have been incorporated into the University's capital planning process, under the auspices of Campus Design and Facility Development.