AT PLAY AND AT WORK: RONALD H. TAN, FAIA

Ronald H. Tan, FAJA(Fellow, the American Institute of Architects), was born in Singapore, a small island located on the southern tip ofthe Malaysian peninsula. Twenty-eight miles long by fifteen miles wide, it is just eighty miles north of the equator. Almost three million peoplelive on this island. It is one of the most diverse nations in the world, encompassing people of all races and religions. The remarkable thing isthat they all live together in peace and harmony They are Singaporeans.

Ron Tan Kite Designs, 2006

The youngest of five children, Ron grew up speaking three languages-English, Chinese, and Malaysian At that time, since Singaporewas a British Crown Colony, English was the predominant language. He attended St. Andrew's School (Church of England). He played on thesoccer, cricket, and rugby teams. He felt it a privilege to have studied English and Shakespeare under British teachers. The headmaster, Rev.Canon Adams, was Australian. He was also known as the 'Boxing Padre'. Ron became a boxing coach and, subsequently, became the GoldenGloves Champ of Singapore. Undefeated, he was dubbed the K~OKing.

When Ron was six years old he was introduced to Calcutta Fighting Kites by his oldest brother, Milton. Ron was hopelessly hooked.He loved kites and kite fighting. These kites are deceptively simple, roughly 20" square with a small triangular tail. They are much moresophisticated than they appear. Constructed of two pieces of bamboo, skillfully shaved, they are sheathed with tissue paper in differentpatterns and colors. The patterns have names and are recognizable. These kites take a skilled flyer to get them airborne. They can be madeto dive, spin or dart, right or left. Extremely light, they are sewn with strong sewing thread. Glass, pounded into a fine powder and mixedwith special glue, is applied to the thread resulting in a fine sandpaper-like finish. When two kites appear to be maneuvering closer and closerto each other, it is a sign that a 'dog fight' is about to take place The lines are eventually crossed and, ultimately, one is cut. It floats gentlydownward with its cut line trailing. But here, another facet of the sport takes place. Small crowds (Kiterunners) chase after the cut kites tryingto snag the trailing line with long bamboo poles. The first one to snag it is the new owner of the kite. Ron would spend all of his weeklyallowance buying these kites. He was obsessed with flying them and stayed out in the tropical sun until he was burned deep brown.

He was disappointed when he first came to this country that there were no fighting kites available and so he started making his own.

Today, he considers his skill level to be that of the professional kite makers in Asia. He is also proud of the fact that he has created patternsnever seen in the 'old fighting kite world.' He has shared his skill with many through kite making classes and workshops he has taught.

By 1956Ron Tan graduated from the University of Idaho with a BS in Architecture and a Minor in Art. Tan's architectural workglows with the elegance of materials well chosen and with creativity used to enhance of the quality of life of the people who experiencethe buildings. This is evident in the Jundt Art Center and Museum, Gonzaga University (cover image), where we view this exhibit of Ron'swork. It achieves a technical and innovative solution in laboratory and studio design for programs in the visual arts and in a museum withgalleries that is the major function of the building. The facility and museum is a strong example of a contemporary building having completecompatibility with the character and quality of surrounding campus architecture. The exterior elevation shows the attention to detail used byarchitects where the choice of materials reflects the materials used in historic university buildings surrounding this new facility The towerreflects the character of nearby St. Aloysius Church, a campus landmark and Gonzaga's university logo. Construction of the Jundt complexwas completed in the fall of 1995.

Throughout the Gonzaga University campus, one will find further examples of the sensitivity of Ron Tan's architecture. The JepsonCenter is a 36,000 square foot academic building housing Gonzaga University's School of Business Administration. The building featuresclassrooms, a reference library, computer laboratory, administrative offices, and an auditorium seating 200. The interior illustrates thearchitect's attention to detail with a perceptive use of materials. The exterior brick is brought into the interior, and the use of curvilinearforms softens the space and gives it personal scale. The stairway is also reflected on the exterior of the building. The project was completedin 1991.

Artist s Rendering of the Foley Center, 1991

The Ralph and Helen Foley Center for Information and Technology at Gonzaga University was funded by university donors and a majorgrant from the federal government. This twenty million dollar project houses the campus library and high technology services in a design ofuncompromising integrity enhanced by the architect's selection of materials. The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,Tom Foley, dedicated this building on September 2, 1992.

Beyond the confines of the Gonzaga University campus the work of Ron Tan is revealed in many locations in the area.His restoration of Spokane City HaiL 1982,was acontroversial project which many community leaders initially rejected asan inappropriate

solution. However, the restored building revealed the architect's respect for the original structure, accented by Art Deco motifs, and for thepublic it would serve. The end result is the "new" Spokane City Hall worthy of the Historic Preservation Award it received, as well as of the

acclaim its clients, the city's residents, and the building's staff continue tobestow.

The Spokane Valley Transit Center, 1989,is a delightful "people-friendly"place because of the consideration and expertise of the architect. It couldhave been simply a "Park and Ride" roof and shelter, but Ron Tan, through hissensitive use of materials and lighting transformed the Transit Center and siteinto a park-like setting which, although four-hundred feet long, is a pleasureto experience night or day, summer or winter. This structure won the AlASpokane Chapter Design Honor Award in 1990and Honorable Mention inthe National AlA Design Awards Program.

His other well recognized architectural projects include:Spokane Ballet, 1978.Representing Spokane's professional ballet companybefore the Comstock Foundation, Ron was successful in qualifying for a$65,000 grant for remodeling the company's future studios. He donated his

Spokane Valley Transit Center, 1989

architectural services for this project and, in addition, convinced a mechanical engineer friend to do the same.Prototypical Elementary Schools, Spokane School District #81, 1982. Ron Tan was senior design partner in the team responsible for thewinning design in a competition for thirteen prototypical elementary schools for Spokane School District #81. The efficient prototype provedto be economical in building the schools originally planned. As a result of the savings the school district was able to build two additionalschools. These prototypical plans have been adapted for use by other school districts throughout the state.Horizon Junior High School. 1984.Ron Tan met the challenge in his design of hallways, the bane of junior high schools, by nearly eliminatingthem. Horizon's handicap accessible circulation is achieved through the multi-purpose room which doubles as a gathering place, not only forthe students but for the entire school community. Further, through the architect's skill and sensitivity, a site thought to be deficient becamean asset by integrating the land contours with rooms of varying volumes.

Liberty Lake Sewage Treatment Plant, 1987. The six structures on athirty acre site are in full view of I~90,the freeway between Spokane and Coeurd'Alene, Idaho. Typically these buildings are concrete masonry units andasphalt shingled roofs. Ron Tan chose instead to use metal siding painted inprimary colors. This, in combination with sculptural precast elements, resultedin a composition of joyful architectural forms. What would otherwise havebeen a humdrum experience for motorists is now a refreshing architecturallandscape.

Ballet Arts Academy # 1, 1987.The director of this ballet school foundan old building that she felt could be converted into a studio. The architectdesigned the studio spaces, dressing rooms, costume room, offices, and aviewing lobby for parents. Ron personally built bleachers so the parents andguests could view the ballet being taught and danced. Unfortunately, this firststudio became the victim of an arsonist's torch in 1992. Liberty Lake Sewage Treatment Plant, Liberty Lake, Washington, 1987

St. Mary's Chapel remodel. Spokane Valley, 1988.The budget for the St. Mary's Chapel remodel was only $10,500,yet the requirementsfor this trapezoidal shaped space of 24x 8 feet were very specific. Fourteen stations of the cross had to be aligned on both sides facing the

altar. The statue of the Virgin Mary had to be strategically placed on the left wall. An oillamp burning 24 hours of the day and its sooty fumes had to be mechanically exhausted.Behind the tabernacle, a wood screen had to be designed to serve as a back drop and toscreen the priests' entrance into the room. This project, though modest, has a significantimpact on the lives of many and won a Spokane Chapter AlA Design Award in 1990.

Ballet Arts Academy #2, 1991. With the demise of Studio # 1, Ron Tan made amethodical search for older structures in Spokane and found an abandoned Veteransof Foreign Wars dance hall on the second level of a downtown building. Once again,he donated his design services and also physically helped with the construction of thestudios. Ballet Arts Academy Studio #2 has been cited as on the finest ballet studios in

Jepson Auditorium. Gonzaga University, 1986 the Northwest. All of the professional ballet companies and Broadway shows performing

Evelyn CreagerExecutive Director, AlA, Spokane, retired

in Spokane use this space for their practice sessions. This studio is located just two blocks from Spokane's Opera House.These major eastern Washington landmarks are visited and experienced every day by hundreds of residents and visitors. By the

example of these structures, Ron Tan has provided the community with tangible evidence of the importance of architecture to society, to thecommunity, and to the individual. Ron Tan's concern for human needs transcending the environment of a building has motivated his efforts intransforming the Inland Northwest's attitude toward art and culture in general. Through his unassuming leadership and quiet perseverance,a major symphony orchestra, theater, dance and the visual arts have flourished. Ron has shared his love of the arts with his wife, MargaretGoodner Tan, former dancer with the Irish National Ballet and former director of Theater Ballet of Spokane. His credo is "If you learn tocreate, you learn not to destroy."

Ron Tan Kite Designs. 2006

This publication was funded by the Jundt Art Museum's Annual Campaign 2005- 2006©Jundt Art Museum, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA 99258-000[