DETAILS
With great respect for Edward Durrell Stone’s 1960s modernist campus, this new master plan redefines the campus’ first impression image and reclaims quads as new venues for an enhanced campus lifestyle. The entry drive encounters a new Collin’s Circle, now raised to the level of the entrance plaza. The earthen plinth engages the plaza entry at the new Administration Building and Podium and hosts major campus events to be staged with the podium, campanile, and fountains as their backdrop. Former parking lots and drives have been reclaimed as quads, while the relocated parking lots frame either end of the quads. A pattern of paths follows desires lines with the resulting spaces offering various levels of intimacy ranging from a quiet bench and to large open lawns to dramatic plazas.
The three-acre entrance plaza, previously dedicated to ceremonial drop-off and parking, has been transformed into a inviting central lawn and gathering space with an interactive water feature on axis with the Podium. The lawn is framed by promenades lined with seatwalls, lights, and trees; all of which are grandly scaled to this ceremonial space.
UC Davis West Village
UC Davis West Village is a new 225-acre development in Davis, California, that responds to a substantial growth in the number of students, faculty and staff living on the University’s campus. The city of Davis is a unique and cherished community, and great care was taken throughout the design and planning process to pay homage to its history and culture. The n...
Sonoma State Weill Lawn & Commons
Weill Lawn and Commons provide outdoor performance venues at Green Music Center, a world-class performing arts complex. The landscape architects prepared overall master planning and landscape architectural design. A simple, dramatic grading plan unifies project elements, directs circulation, and buffers concert venues from adjacent roadway traffic. Weill Lawn...
Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City is a massive new medical complex located in the Center City of the coastal city Abu Dhabi. The mega-project consists of four major hospitals and numerous outbuildings sited on a sprawling 90-acre medical campus. As the future flagship for the Emirates national medical system design excellence, cultural sensitivity, and advanced sust...
Columbia University Landscape Master Plan
As part of a larger development framework plan by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects, Thomas Balsley Associates was commissioned to prepare a landscape master plan for this important historical campus.
The work began with extensive historical research into the original McKim Mead & White plan and Olmsted writings as well as an assessment of current camp...