13 April 2016 CAMPUS MASTER PLAN UPDATE Focus Group Landscape
AGENDA What We Heard Review of Campus Observations & Analysis Campus Framework & Open Space Network Table-Top Exercise Landscape Guideline Approach Guideline Examples
WHAT WE HEARD
listen: What We Heard: Collective Pedestrian Conflict Areas Bizzell Street Academic / Engineering Area (Ross Mall, Ireland St., etc.) University Drive Crossings White Creek Erosion Issues West Campus Remoteness Connection from White Creek Housing to East Campus Connection from West Campus to East Campus West Campus feels remote due to lower population and density Memorial Student Center Works well on multiple levels Design Standards, Signage, Branding, Green/Open Space, etc. Traffic Congestion Points Reed Arena/Parking Lots (100) Bizzell Street (Parking Lots 54) Green Space JK Williams Admin Building East Lawn (formal) All Quads (Cushing, Academic, Architecture) West Campus Green Space is underutilized Spence Park has great potential Simpson Drill Field multifunctional open space Build-to-Line Identify (and Enforce?) Is it still applicable? Campus Policies and Process Campus Policies and Process should align with the CMP Update in order to implement the plan accordingly Campus Branding Multiple opportunities to enhance TAMU branding Arrival points, institutional identity and campus traditions need to be leveraged. Off-Campus Development Will lead to new access points and the need for improved systems to support TAMU users of these developments
listen: What We Heard: Landscape Focus Group University Drive pedestrian issues need to be addressed as off-campus areas and academic / engineering area develops.
listen: What We Heard: Landscape Focus Group Opportunity for TAMU branding at major entrances and gateways with signage and landscape
listen: What We Heard: Landscape Focus Group Polo fields opportuntity for improved landscaping and need to maintain storm water management
listen: What We Heard: Landscape Focus Group Proposed renovation of east lawn at JK Williams an opportunity to beautify the main campus entrance East Quad has potential to become an activated green space and has seen increase activity.
listen: What We Heard: Landscape Focus Group Corps Quad is great, but it s greatness isn t connected into the rest of campus.
listen: What We Heard: Landscape Focus Group West Campus pedestrian paths (noodles) are not user-friendly or intuitive on how to get from building to building or place to place.
listen: What We Heard: Landscape Focus Group Sbisa Hall and North Housing Quad opportunity to better utilize the green space (existing mounds area) and increase connectivity by removal of parking area (Lot 32)
How are we solving this?
REVIEW OF CAMPUS OBSERVATIONS & ANALYSIS
observe: Campus Character Zones
observe: Open Green Space
observe: Dense, Urban Core
observe: Suburban
observe: Underdeveloped
observe: Open Green Space
observe: Use Distribution ACADEMIC HOUSING ATHLETICS & RECREATION RESEARCH VET MED & AGRILIFE PARTNERSHIPS
observe: Use Distribution Overlay
observe: Expanding the Open Space Network
observe: The Approach 1. Utilize the Campus Framework and Open Space Network to identify potential for new and improved green space on campus ongoing as framework develops. 2. Determine the program typology for each open space (existing and proposed). 3. Develop and apply a reference vocabulary to each open space as appropriate to its campus zone, character, use, and site specific details (drainage, shade, etc.). 4. Results in a recommendation for each open space on campus as part of the final CMP Update.
CAMPUS FRAMEWORK AND OPEN SPACE NETWORK
frame: The 2004 Civic Structure
frame: Framework Update
frame: Framework Update
frame: Framework Update
frame: Framework Update
frame: Framework Update
frame: Open Space Network
frame: Expanded Open Space Network
frame: Open Space Network Summary Identified the limitations of the 2004 green space network Identified the changing characteristics of the campus and how the civic structure must be expanded to support the new realties Identified the varying and expanded types of open spaces and related programs Identified the need for expanded palettes of materials and methods Identified underutilized or under programmed existing spaces Identified the changing character of the perimeter of campus and its evolving relationships
TABLE TOP ACTIVITY
exercise: Open Space Network- 2016 JK Williams East Lawn Historic Core Engineering District Corps of Cadets Spence Park Recreation Athletics West Campus Research Park CVM Hensel Park
THE LANDSCAPE GUIDELINES APPROACH
approach: 2004 - Three Solutions Urban Landscape Suburban Landscape Texas Landscape
approach: 2004 - Urban Landscapes Predominately on East Campus Formal Composition: Tree-lined Streets Clearly Legible Quads Complimentary Relationship with Buildings Military Walk - Contributing Architecture Buildings - Non-Contributing
approach: 2004 - Suburban Landscapes Predominately on West Campus Spence Park - Contributing In-formal Composition: Picturesque Naturalistic Curvilinear Paths Rolling Topography Grove Arrangement of Trees Contrasting relationship with isolated buildings West Campus - Non-Contributing
approach: 2004 - Texas Landscapes Resource Efficient Landscape Low level to maintenance required Naturalist Composition White Creek Semi-Contributing Green Reserve System Stormwater Mitigation Wildlife Habitat Restoration Outdoor Education Recreation Opportunities Research Park Non-Contributing
approach: 2004 - Urban, Suburban and Texas Landscapes
approach: 2016 - Define Program for Open Spaces 1. Park 2. Courtyard 3. Quadrangle 4. Garden 5. Formal Civic Space 6. Pocket Park 7. Natural 8. Recreation /Athletics 9. Connector 10. Open Lawns / Fields 11. Showcase Space 12. Others???
approach: 2016 - Define Program for Open Spaces Example: Parks Parks are large tracts of land that often include lawn, grassland or meadow, and woodlands. They are used for ornament, passive recreation, or active recreation. Passive recreation can take place within upland or riparian landscapes. Oftentimes, ornamental or passive recreational parks are naturalistic in their physical form. Within a campus setting, active recreation takes the form of athletic fields often framed by vegetation within a larger park context, typically in upland landscape areas.
approach: 2016 - Define Program for Open Spaces Example: Courtyards Courtyards are enclosed private or semiprivate open spaces within a building or a semiprivate or public open space within a group of buildings. They may be formal or informal; the edge treatments are varied and include spaces that are completely enclosed by architecture, spaces that are enclosed on three sides by architecture, and spaces partially enclosed by architecture with entrances generally at the corners. The spaces are often paved and feature landscape elements in the center or along the edges. Central features might include a fountain, sculpture, or a grove of trees.
approach: 2016 - Define Program for Open Spaces Example: Quadrangles Quadrangles are typically large, rectangular public spaces defined by buildings and landscape. Buildings form the primary spatial definition, but the landscape design should complement the architectural definition, and usually provides the most memorable aspect of the character of the space. There are three basic landscape types for quadrangles: A central open space defined by building facades and lines of trees, A central open space defined by building facades and containing picturesque groups of trees An open space filled with a continuous or nearly continuous tree canopy throughout.
approach: 2016 - Define Program for Open Spaces Example: Gardens A garden is usually bounded, restricted in size, and infused with meaning. For a space to be defined as a garden it must include the added layer of meaning. Gardens can be organized formally or informally, but typically, they are enclosed and often include a focal point within. Gardens may be situated within a larger park.
approach: 2016 - Define Program for Open Spaces Example: Formal Civic Space Example: Pocket Park
approach: 2016 - Define Program for Open Spaces Example: Natural Example: Athletics / Recreation Example: Connector Example: Open Lawns / Fields
approach: 2016 - Define Design & Elemental Vocabulary 1. Texas Landscape 2. Paved / Hardscape 3. Formal Lawns 4. Connectors: Tree-Lined Walk Streetscape Green Space Link 5. Teaching / Pedagogy 6. Detention / Retention 7. Others???
approach: 2016 - Define Design & Elemental Vocabulary Example: Connectors Tree-Lined Walk Streetscape Green Space Link
CAMPUS EXAMPLES
scenario: Cushing Quad Program: Formal Quadrangle Connector Design & Elemental Vocabulary: Formal Lawn Paved/Hardscape Connections Current Issues: The space is overly hardscaped, and there are not enough green spaces within the quadrangle for campus users to gather. Intent of Space: The intent of Cushing Quad is to create improved pedestrian paths that move people along through the space. Along these paths, green space should define gathering spaces with seating and planters.
scenario: West Campus Quad Program: Formal Quadrangle Design & Elemental Vocabulary: Formal Lawns Paved/Hardscape Connector Current Issues: The space currently feels isolated from the Main Campus. The pedestrian paths are circuitous and do not offer direct pathways from buildings. The large gaps between the buildings lessens its ability to feel like a formal quad. Intent of Space: The intent is to redefine the space to become a formal gathering space. As the building density increases in this area, the quad will become more formal. Pedestrian pathways should be more formalized.
scenario: Engineering Quad Program: Quadrangle Showcase Design & Elemental Vocabulary: Formal Lawns Paved/Hardscape Connector Current Issues: This space currently does not exist. Intent of Space: As an addition to the expanded green space network, this space alleviates the density of the district and transforms existing service space into useable green space. It aids in wayfinding within the district, and offers inter-district connectivity. It also provides venues for engineering demonstrations and event.
scenario: Corp of Cadets Program: Quadrangle Connector Design & Elemental Vocabulary: Paved/Hardscape Current Issues: The space did not offer adequate surfaces for marching or demonstrations. It also looked worn and did not reflect the identity of the Corps. Intent of Space: This upgraded quadrangle will become a space for cadets to use for demonstration and gathering. It also aesthetically upgrades the district along with the corresponding housing upgrades. The intent is to connect the Quad into the larger campus along Nagle Street.
HOMEWORK & NEXT STEPS
landscape: Next Steps - Scenario Development Develop and refine open space Program Typologies Develop and refine open space Design & Elemental Vocabularies Correlate Program Typologies along with Design & Elemental Vocabularies to inform open space guidelines Develop refined scenarios for selected specific open spaces of campus Identify a preliminary priority of improvements and hierarchy for implementation Overlay landscape approach with other campus systems to demonstrate an integrated solution
landscape: Next Steps - Homework Consider programmatic input for key spaces Consider sustainability overlay to open spaces Consider educational opportunities for specific spaces Consider community threshold opportunities and orientation devices Consider traditions, history or legacy opportunities and their potential integration Consider key devices or strategies for guidelines Joint Focus Group Session: mid-may (TBD)
13 April 2016 Thank You