March, 2011
33
High-Profile Focus: Institutional and School Facilities Development News
Themed Walkways
As the Structuring Element for Campus Master Planning
Contact Chris Hadorn: 774.259.2390
by Jerry Angell Conventional campus master plans are structured around building arrangements – typically organized to form a quadrangle or other large open space. In more dense locations, where land is limited, linear and/ or grid arrangements are more common. In both scenarios, the arrangement of buildings takes precedence over the location of walkways and open space. An alternative approach to this standard planning technique gives primary consideration to a system of themed walkways as structuring elements for the master plan. For example, in 2001 Dober Lidsky Craig and Associates prepared a master plan for Washington & Jefferson College. The college, constructed in 1793, features several large mature trees and rolling topography. Dober Lidsky Craig’s first proposal emphasized the campus’s aesthetics by suggesting the development of an ovalshaped campus green as a structuring element. However, the proposal required the demolition of existing income-generating buildings and limited the potential for future development. As an alternative, the firm presented a revised plan in which a series of themed walkways served as the anchor for future development. The new plan balanced the desire to accentuate the campus’ attractive
setting while meeting the financial needs of the College. Walkway themes such as historic, social, art, and pastoral – as in the case of Washington & Jefferson – demonstrate and expand concepts relevant to their respective campuses. For example, the historic walkway at Washington & Jefferson emphasizes the history and traditions of the college through spaced monuments and memorials. The social walkway features elements such as outdoor café tables and gathering areas and runs through the center of the campus. Themed walkways are typically oriented along the axis of existing walkways and buildings. They serve as connectors to appropriate building anchors or midpoints and set the tone for future development. They also present an opportunity for income generation through the use of donor pavers where names of donors are imbedded in paving materials. Using a system of walkways as the primary structuring element for campus master planning provides a comprehensive basis for master planning, allows for flexibility, provides new meaning to the function of walkways, enhances open space, and produces revenue. Jerrell Angell, AIA, LEED AP, is a principal at TRO Jung|Brannen and is a trustee of Washington and Jefferson College.
Three Schools Break Ground Designed by HMFH
Concord, NH - HMFH Architects announced the recent groundbreaking for three elementary schools that it has designed as part of the Concord School District’s Elementary School Consolidation Plan. The ceremony took place February 10 on the grounds of the future Abbot-Downing Elementary School, located at 152 South Street. The new 67,120sf AbbotDowning Elementary School will replace the smaller Conant School currently located adjaPhoto credit: HMFH Architects cent to the new construction on School board members participate in the symbolic the 8.7-acre site. groundbreaking ceremony. Serving 535 K through 5th grade students from neighborThe Mill Brook Primary School, hoods in the south end of Concord, the new serving 450 pre-K through 2nd grade stuelementary school will honor the historic dents, will be added to the campus of an structures it replaces by echoing design ele- existing 3rd through 5th grade school. The ments from the original school building, as new school will be built adjacent to the well as reusing the signature cupola from the Broken Ground Elementary School on a current Conant School. 95-acre site at 123 Portsmouth Street and In addition to the Abbot-Downing El- will share its multipurpose room and perementary School, ground has been broken formance platform with the neighboring at the K through 5th grade Christa McAu- school. liffe Elementary School in downtown ConEach school will be constructed with cord. The new 69,900sf elementary school extensive recycled and locally produced will serve 535 students and is located on materials and will be New Hampshire – a 2.8-acre site at 17 North Spring Street. CHPS certified as a green school building. It will replace the Kimball Elementary and Construction completion for all three the Morrill School buildings, continuing buildings is scheduled for August 2012. the legacy of public school buildings that Harvey Construction Corporation is the have occupied that site since 1887. contractor.
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