University Business - May 2007 - (Page 70)

A consistent site vocabulary also contributes to unifying a campus. Signage and graphics, hierarchical paving and pedestrian circulation systems, site furniture, bollards (short vertical posts), receptacles, fencing, and curbing lend legibility, orientation, and clear boundaries and perimeters. Campus gateways, signs, and other visual cues like plantings and lighting that assist visitors with finding their way around are also critical contributors to identity, creating important initial impressions. Informational kiosks animate a campus and provide visitors with orientation and updates on events. Reliable lighting and call boxes provide an extra measure of security. Finally, the landscape itself gives the campus an inviting aesthetic and seasonal identity. The image of a campus is primarily identified by the overall development of the built environment, including the landscape and site elements. A commitment to unifying a campus and achieving that true campus feeling can be made at any time in an institution’s life cycle. These decisions come about in a number of ways. Often the feedback of students and alumni is the motivation behind the decision by a school’s president or board of trustees to enhance the campus image. Ideally, even if this question is not directly raised, a landscape architecture firm or other design team engaged to address a particular project will at least bring up the issue and urge the school to consider the broader impact on the campus. A good design team will always have in mind how any on-campus undertaking might enhance the aesthetics and feel of the campus as a whole now and into the future. A Master’s in Planning The most lasting, eﬀective, and economical way to achieve campus unity is to establish a master plan. A master plan can determine standards for elements such as signage, fencing, receptacles, and furniture and can prevent the inconsistencies and hodgepodge feel that arise from improvements made without the beneﬁt of an overall plan to guide them. Investing time and resources in creating a master plan oﬀers (a) a multifaceted, appreciable return that also includes streamlined decision-making achieved by drawing on cohesive design standards, and (b) an improved ability to engage in capital campaigns because one is able to eﬀectively convey a vision and predict costs. The role of a landscape architect can be critical in the master planning process by: • Determining areas that need capital improvements. • Guiding site design for future building projects. • Streamlining the overall decision-making process. • Improving maintenance by establishing levels of service for specific areas. When colleges and universities engage a landscape architecture firm, that firm often becomes the school’s long-term partner and institutional memory for the campus. Providing this continuity in a site design team is another strategy that can help in maintaining campus unity. Site Design Tactics Once the decision is made to strive for an enhanced campus feel and a master plan has ABC’s of Selecting a Design Team JUST AS CAREFUL PLANNING HELPS achieve the most effective landscape project results, so too does careful design team selection in ensuring that a site design project delivers on a school’s expectations. Consider these factors in the selection process: • A history of working with institutional clients, particularly resulting in long-term professional relationships • Proven ability to devise creative solutions that deliver a unifying experience • Master planning expertise • Technological capability to create high-quality visuals of a project to generate interest among college administrators, trustees, and potential donors • Experience in planning athletic facilities that complement and enhance the campus character • Knowledge about ADA compliance A harmonious interplay of buildings, open space, programming, security, and layout inspires confidence in parents, and a sense of well-being and motivation in prospective students. At other times, the decision arises secondarily, when a school undertakes another type of project—such as embarking on a master planning effort, becoming ADA compliant, contemplating the usage of a newly acquired parcel of land, converting an existing building to a new use, or addressing a parking shortage. Inevitably the conversation turns to the ever present bigger picture: How can we make our campus look more like a campus? • Establishing a unique character and identity for a campus. • Creating campuswide consistency. • Providing planning and maintenance staff with guidelines for future improvements. • Developing a phasing plan based on priorities and available resources. • Identifying areas of improvement for building and grounds staff to incorporate into annual work plans. 70 | May 2007 universitybusiness.com http://universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - May 2007

Contents
College Index
Advisory Board
Company Index
Editor's Note
Behind the News
Viewpoint
Money Matters
Marketing
Human Resources
Financial Aid
Community Colleges
The Innocents Abroad
The Big Business of Research
What’s New in A/V
The Kids Are All Right
Designing a Unified Campus
Business Technology
What's New
Calendar of Events
Direct Connect
End Note

University Business - May 2007