DESIGN GUIDELINES/FRAMEWORKS Building upon the great work published in the 2003 Master Development Plan, this Physical Master Plan elevates components of those guidelines that resonate with current thinking and remain applicable to future development and adds organizing frameworks that further direct future improvements to the physical environment to support the mission of the University. The 2003 MDP makes a distinction between “foreground” and “background” buildings and defines applicable design guidelines for each. “Foreground” buildings are those meant to serve as a focal point on the campus, buildings that accommodate a singular use, or buildings whose internal functions require extraordinary facilities or forms. ‘Background’ buildings are those which are subordinate to the larger campus, those whose features and functions are not showcased, or those whose sites are in less visible areas of the campus. Purpose-built structures in the academic core and buildings that are prominent to the perimeter of campus would typically be identified as foreground buildings and would be expected to be more architecturally distinctive than other campus buildings. Their massing may be more expressive or showcase special architectural features, materials or fenestration. Foreground buildings proposed in this Physical Master Plan include the Event Center and the Innovation Hub and could also include other academic buildings as identified by campus leadership in the future.
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Buildings such as student housing or facilities buildings would typically be considered background buildings and their forms would be more rectilinear with subtle architectural features, and articulation would be more functionally expressive (i.e. stair towers, sunshades or balconies). In this Physical Master Plan, background buildings would include student housing and support buildings in the Arboretum and structures associated with mobility hubs. Regardless of whether a structure is considered a foreground or background building, massing should be articulated to create a comfortable relationship between the scale of a person and the scale of the building. On the existing campus, this is often accomplished by a building’s architectural or structural expression rather than applied decoration, and building elevations are brought into pedestrian scale using more articulated or open ground floor elevations. New buildings should employ architectural articulation to create visual interest, incorporate surface effects in ways that are consistent with existing adjacent structures, and consider changes in material, color, or other architectural features to visually articulate or activate a building elevation. Existing campus building façade materials are predominantly concrete; some employ metal panels, plaster, brick, and/or curtain wall systems. New buildings should creatively use façade materials to produce visual interest and consistency throughout the campus while providing variety
Figure 31. Campus Design Guidelines Frameworks
from building to building. The existing palette of materials can be augmented to create visual interest. Proposed new building material and color choices should harmonize with existing campus palettes. Foreground buildings may employ materials and colors that create a distinct identity and distinguish them from other buildings on campus, as is appropriate for their functions. In conjunction with these highlighted guidelines set forth in the 2003 MDP, this Physical Master Plan document introduces frameworks that act as major drivers for campus organization and development. These frameworks are identified as ‘Green Loop’, ‘Axes’, ‘Height & Density’, ‘Ground Floor Activation’, and ‘Campus Circulation’. These frameworks and the design guidelines supporting them are described further in the following sections.
Green Loop
Axes
Height & Density
Design guidelines are intended to guide decisions for future development and are not meant to be restrictive or constraining for the University planning committees or design professionals hired to execute future projects.
Ground Floor Activation
Campus Circulation
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