8 Great Campus Landscapes

College and university campuses are increasingly embracing sustainability in their development and redevelopment projects. These campus landscapes manage runoff, reduce potable water use, and serve as learning laboratories for students interested in green technologies. Just as importantly, the landscapes serve as a visual representation of the campus community’s commitment to sustainability and define campus or department identity by serving as the backdrop for study, relaxation, recreation, and events.

1. Case Study Brief

   

   University of Texas at Dallas Landscape Enhancements

   Richardson, Texas

   “This catalytic project has radically changed the perception of campus, contributing to an increase in enrollment. The dramatic enhancements to the main entry drive and central mall created the aesthetic identity and engaging social spaces that the previously car- and hardscape-centric campus lacked.”

2. Case Study Brief

   

   Kroon Hall, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies

   New Haven, Connecticut

   “This LEED Platinum building and two new courtyards reclaim the 3.5-acre site of a decommissioned power plant and parking lot. An innovative rainwater harvesting system and phytoremediation pond treat the first inch of rainfall and help to reduce the building’s potable water use by 81%.”

3. Case Study Brief

   

   Loyola University Lake Shore Campus

   Chicago, Illinois

   “Loyola’s green campus initiative was the foundation for a significant campus revival, earning it a #4 ranking in the Sierra Club’s “America’s Greenest Colleges.” The main Lake Shore Campus features stormwater capture and filtration, water harvesting, 11 green roofs, and an urban garden.”

4. Case Study Brief

   

   Underwood Family Sonoran Landscape Laboratory

   Tucson, Arizona

   “This demonstration landscape is fully integrated with the adjacent building, employing classic arid-region techniques like water harvesting and vegetation to reduce solar heat gain. It also functions as an entry plaza and gathering space, outdoor classroom, and outdoor laboratory for faculty and students.”

5. Case Study Brief

   

   The Dell at the University of Virginia

   Charlottesville, Virginia

   “One of three regional stormwater management facilities installed on campus, the 11-acre Dell project daylit a buried stream running through the heart of the university, creating a memorable entrance, an educational resource, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities for around 10,000 annual users.”

6. Case Study Brief

   

   Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center: Phase I Landscape

   Hollywood, Florida

   “The expansion of this reefside research center allowed for the integration of a large-scale stormwater management system, outdoor coral growth tanks, and the incorporation of unique recycled coral skeletons into decorative elements. Details like a carefully planned out shared parking system and smart irrigation make up a site that increased functional open space by approximately 34%.”

7. Case Study Brief

   

   Loch Norse Commons at Northern Kentucky University

   Highland Heights, Kentucky

   “A flood control impoundment on the eastern campus was redesigned to create a two-tiered lake system that captures stormwater runoff from 31 acres, lowers the water table to address issues of water intrusion into building basements, and creates a dynamic social space for students, faculty, and staff.”

8. Case Study Brief

   

   Thomas Jefferson University Lubert Plaza

   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

   “This 60,000-sf plaza creates a new “heart of campus” where two above-ground parking garages once stood. Located in center city, the new plaza accommodates university events and serves as a shared space for the surrounding dense urban neighborhood. Visitors report that it increases their satisfaction with TJU and with the overall city environment.”