Inclusive Landscapes at Community College Campuses

Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) & Massasoit Community College (MCC) Landscapes

Inclusive Landscapes at Community College Campuses At-A-Glance Project Description:

Notable for what is invisible, seamless, and universal as much as what is overt, these place-based solutions for the DCAMM Statewide Accessibility Initiative achieve universal access on two community college campuses while reinforcing distinct campus character, amplifying sustainability, and improving infrastructure. Rather than tacked-on, they are impactful, integrated, and intuitive.

CCCC & MCC Landscapes

Inclusive Landscapes at Community College Campuses Project Description: The DCAMM Statewide Accessibility Initiative works with agencies to make programs and facilities equally accessible to all. Under this program, projects at Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) and Massasoit Community College (MCC) focused on improvements to site, landscape, pedestrian circulation, and building entries, to ensure a universally accessible campus circulation network.

Despite being originally constructed all at once, at essentially the same time, these two campuses could not be more different. CCCC is tucked into the “cape” landscape with subtle grade transitions, fluid path systems, irregular geometries, and native plantings. MCC is a series of rectilinear geometries, concrete plazas, ramps, stairs, covered walks, and constructed planting beds. Both campuses were challenged in terms of stair access, slope, cross-slope, sheet flow across walking surfaces, and numerous other code issues in the site circulation network.

We took a systemic approach to accommodate the myriad ways that we move, navigate, and live. Solutions for each campus cleaved to the character of the place. At CCCC, the system of fluid paths was reinforced. Stormwater management incorporated native plantings, swales, and drainage structures that parallel, straddle and duck under paths. Bridges cross over these swales to provide accessible entries to buildings. At MCC, solutions built upon the more rigorous geometric site organization. Plaza edges are framed by ramps, added to replace or augment stair access. Sloped walks framing planting beds replace stairs.

For both campuses, accessibility projects spurred improvements to sustainability, maintenance, beauty, and the overall campus experience while ensuring equity for all.

ALL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: CREDIT WILLIAM HORNE VISUAL MEDIA

Existing Conditions / Mapping the Micro

Our smart level and tape measure were our best friends throughout both of these projects. Micro-scale explorations proliferated across campus. Challenges with stairs, slopes, cross-slope, freezing and thawing on slopes, handrails, and myriad other problems presented themselves everywhere that we looked. These were part of the original documentation of deficiencies recorded by DCAMM's Statewide Accessibility Initiative.

Existing Conditions / Mapping the Macro S

GROSSMAN COMMONS NORTH PARKING SCIENCE WEST PARKING

SCIENCE EAST PARKING

P

P

1

LORUSSO BUILDING

1

1

SCIENCE BUILDING

1 2

2

#1

P

2 GREENHOUSE

1

P 2

1

1

#9

1

2

P GROSSMAN COMMONS SOUTH PARKING

2LECTURE HALLS

2

#4

#3

2 1

MACKAY BROADCASTING CENTER

2

P

TILDEN PARKING

2 1

1 NICKERSON ADMIN. BUILDING

B

P

1

2

2

1

WILKENS NORTH PARKING

WILKENS SOUTH PARKING

#7

P #6

#3

#1

#2

#2

#1

#2 #4

#3

#5

#1

#x

#3

#4

#X #1

see courtyard diagram

P

#3

#2

#11

B

P

#2

P

WILKENS LIBRARY

2

#8

#4

#2 S

P

1+

#1

1

MAUREEN M. WILKENS HALL

1

2

1

2

TILDEN ARTS CENTER

#1

#4

#2

P

NORTH BUILDING

GROSSMAN COMMON

P #2

#10

#X #5

P P

LIBRARY PARKING

S

ARRIVAL PARKING

#1

#3

P

P P

CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

P

MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DCAMM's Statewide Accessibility Initiative developed these analyses of deficiencies across campus. We worked with DCAMM SAI and the Owners to review, confirm, and document campus-wide challenges. Mapping these problems across both campuses in a shared language allows us to compare the two.

MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CLIENT

PROJECT

Accessibility Upgrades

P

RESULT

P

Improved access to 5 major buildings in the center of campus

Existing Conditions / Refining the Macro

SCALE 50’

N

SCALE

50’100’

Accessibility Site Analysis

DRAFT, Analysis in Progress

150’

Prepared by the Statewide Accessibility Initiative May 22, 2017

100’

P

LEGEND

P Improved Parking Improved Pedestrian Safety Accessible Pedestrian Path Improved Entrance Accessible Entrance

P

CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLIENT

CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

PROJECT

Accessibility Upgrades

MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEGEND

N

P Improved Parking

Improved Pedestrian Safety Accessible Pedestrian Path Improved Entrance springboard the design Accessible Entrance

SCALE SCALE 50’

50’100’

150’

100’

Using DCAMM's documentation as a team worked with the schools to develop the most impactful approach to each campus within a limited Improved access to 5 major buildings in the budget.

Emphasis was placed on providing accessible entries to all buildings and the circulation routes between them. Our solutions reinforce MCC's rigid, geometric center of campus organization around rectilinear paths and plazas, and CCCC's more fluid and organic organization sympathetic to the topography of the Cape.

RESULT

Accessibility Site Analysis DRAFT, Analysis in Progress

Prepared by the Statewide Accessibility Initiative May 22, 2017

TILDEN ARTS CENTER

WHOLE CAMPUS PLAN

NICKERSON ADMIN

CCCC / Macro Solutions

WILKENS LIBRARY

ENLARGED PLAN OF AREA OF WORK

The campus is ringed by a loop road, with parking lots at the outer edge. The main campus entry for visitors is between the Arts Center, Main Administration Building, and Wilkens Library. Improving the accessibility of this path was paramount because it serves the campus community, potential students, and visitors from the neighboring community on campus for the library or events at Tilden.

CCCC / After Overview

This aerial gives an overview of the path up from the parking (below, right) to the main campus quad (top, center). Flanked by native plantings, stormwater management, swales, and bridges spanning to building entries, this path fundamentally transforms the entry to campus.

CCCC / After Approach from Campus Parking

Removing large brick planters filled with dense plantings opened up the campus entry to be inviting and indicative of both the school's identity of place and dedication to universal access.

CCCC / After Accessible Route alongside Stormwater Retention

The new sloped walk extends from the main entry and bus stop, past the Administration Building (registration and financial aid), up to a plaza in front of Tilden Arts' lobby and gallery, and to Grossman Commons (cafeteria, career services, counseling, and advising). Creating crossings over the stormwater swale creates natural and intuitive entry points for ease of wayfinding.

CCCC / After Overlaying Site Campus Systems

This exemplifies the holistic approach and avoids tacked on and piecemeal solutions that often create maintenance headaches. By integrating and intertwining campus systems, there is an opportunity to build off the successes of each surrounding piece. Lighting, circulation, site planting, and site drainage are overlaid to be greater than the sum of their parts. Even campus identity is represented with native plantings and new board formed concrete crossings.

CCCC / After Enhance Existing Campus Fabric

A new campus standard was developed as part of this project drawing from existing stone and concrete materials and the unique character of the central campus quad, seen in the background with mature trees, moss, and lichen. These materials are repeated and integrated with stainless steel handrails, guardrails, and new plantings.

CCCC / After Defining Circulation Systems and Edges

The accessible circulation reinforces the organic and fluid landscape strategy of the campus. Native stone walls frame one side of the walkway, and original brick walls flank the opposite side.

CCCC / After Defining Circulation Systems and Edges

Another view of the accessible circulation, with native stone walls framing one side of the walkway.

CCCC / After Building on Existing Material Palette

Existing concrete walls (building and site) throughout the campus are board form concrete. The new site walls created as part of this project build on this vocabulary.

MCC / Macro Solutions

Based on the high priority areas outlined by DCAMM, we made surgical improvements to create accessible entries and walkways throughout campus. These smaller interventions created lasting campus solutions and added a palette of native plants for sustainable maintenance.

MCC / After Entry to Fine Arts Center

Being the primary destination for the public on campus it was critical that this entrance sequence became both accessible and safe for those of multiple ages and mobility ranges.

MCC / After Interstitial Space between Science and Technology Buildings

Original concrete covered walkways provided an inaccessible connection between these buildings, and the Technology Building had no accessible entry. A covered walkway was removed and a new ramp system was integrated into the landscape. Removing this walkway also visually exposed a campus initiative for native and edible plantings located in the courtyard beyond.

MCC / After Walkway along Business School

What was a primary circulation path and service road of cracked asphalt and concrete walk, inaccessible thanks to its cross-slope, is now an accessible pedestrian-only concrete walking surface, lawn panel, and line of trees.

MCC / After Main Campus Plaza

The entry to the dining hall, library, and campus center (top) is now accessible. The main plaza and outdoor event space on campus is no longer served only by a stair, complemented by a main ramp running in the primary direction of travel. You can also see the walkway along the business school at right, as seen in the previous image.

MCC / After Main Campus Plaza

The entry to the dining hall, library, and campus center (top left) is now accessible. The main plaza and outdoor event space on campus is no longer served only by a stair, complemented by a main ramp running in the primary direction of travel. As part of a separate project, an accessible terrace from the dining hall (beyond) was created as a campus amenity.