P l a n n i n g / F ac i l i t i e s
T
he main campus is nested within ten percent of the total 62.8 ha (155 acre) property. The structures on campus serve residential, academic, administrative, and maintenance purposes. The intention has been to maintain the local vernacular architecture and to “harmoniously integrate the buildings into their natural surroundings” within the unique constraints of the site topography, prevailing winds, solar orientation and natural habitat. It has been a continuous goal of the campus planners to have as little negative impact as possible on the environment. The campus layout minimizes the footprint of UGA’s operations and the effects of development on the local watershed and ecosystems. Buildings are concentrated in clusters spread across the grounds, with the main academic and administrative buildings
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University
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G e o r g i a C o s ta R i c a C a m p u s
forming a larger central cluster, and a smaller cluster of cabins to the east. Apart from the buildings, which consist of 3,259 m2 (35,080 ft2) total or 0.5% of the total campus area, there are no impervious surfaces. All circulation on the main area of campus – including parking areas – occurs on crushed stone paths. This mitigates the impact of foot traffic between the buildings while allowing for infiltration of rainwater and minimization of runoff. The remaining trails are low impact, unimproved dirt footpaths with stone steps in areas of steep incline. The main access road is a dirt-gravel mix (lastre), and highly vegetated on the shoulders. Since temperatures stay generally warm throughout the year, buildings are constructed with light materials and good ventilation, allowing them to cool faster. Maintaining the surrounding forests and plant