DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Landscape Architecture Program
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 272
Landscape Architecture II
Spring 2003/Colliton

Project One:  NDSU Pedestrian plaza and fountain 

Introduction/Assignment:  The NDSU Campus has had many plans prepared by professionals and students to help provide for a friendlier pedestrian environment.  In 2001 the NDSU President Chapman requested the Landscape Architecture Program along with several other groups on campus to develop a campus arboretum plan.  A 272 studio group in the spring of 2001 offered two design options for the campus.  Both master plans were  a non-traditional arboretum concept where plants are arranged based on their type.  The NDSU Arboretum will become a pedestrian-oriented trail throughout the campus where plants are shown along the trail.  As part of the trail development several areas have been identified as important focus areas.  One of these focus areas between the South Engineering building and Agricultural Engineering building will be used for your first project. This area currently has two fountains and pedestrian paths and seating. 

Many campuses throughout the country provide unique pedestrian and landscape opportunities for their students, faculty, and visitors. The start of the NDSU arboretum trail began in the summer of 2001 with the opening of the main gate on our campus.  The new gate design will provide a positive landscape aesthetic as well as progressive educational experience to the campus uses and its visitors.  In Project One I would like you to determine how the NDSU campus can become a better pedestrian-oriented environment in all-seasons of the year while showing off its existing and future plant species.

Outline Program
The Outline Program for the arboretum trail node shall include:

1. A water feature scaled to the pedestrian user.

2. Shade Trees and Landscape Plantings identification system to promote plant knowledge, understanding, and education

3. A logical, yet aesthetic, pedestrian circulation system.

4. Seating and Study Areas.

5. Sunning Areas.

6. A Pergola or Arbor Walk.

7. An Alumni Honor Court (determine a system to honor alumni within the plaza area - should be focused area)

8. Location for U.S.A., North Dakota, and NDSU flags on 30 foot poles lighted poles.

9. Pedestrian and Landscape Lighting

NOTE: The plaza may be developed individually in in teams of two.  I also recommend the inventory and analysis be prepared by the a class effort.

Presentation:  (All presentations must include all of the following information as a minimum!) Your phased presentation for the plaza design should include:

1. An inventory and analysis of the proposed plaza area and adjacent areas - identifying both constraints as well as its opportunities for this pedestrian-oriented area on campus. (Inventory/Analysis of the current pedestrian movements - including conflicts, linkages, spatial opportunities, etc.)

2. A case study or design influence analysis.

3. A graphic plant pallet of acceptable trees, shrubs, and perennials (class effort).

4. A schematic plan prepared in AutoCAD.

5. A working study model (tear & paste).

6. Graphic Landscape Character Sketches (at least three).

7. A computer model.

8. Refined plans, sections, and elevations.

9. Refined plaza model.

Your overall presentation format should include an example of how other campuses have used plants as part of the campus experience (A case study or design influence analysis).  The sketches developed for your solution must carefully reinforce your planning and design decisions.  It is also expected that your solution to improve this area will also promote  plant community of the campus will additionally improve the overall  landscape character of our campus.

The above requirements must be presented in a 'carefully' crafted and designed format.  Your final presentation materials must be permanently mounted on boards for the presentation to the jury of faculty and campus members.  A plan of the NDSU campus is available in the Course Info Website.  The cad drawing can be imported into Illustrator or CorelDraw for the purpose of your overall presentation. We will review sketching techniques in Plan Graphics during studio hours

Evaluation:  100 Points 

• 15 Points:  Inventory/Analysis including opps & contraints

• 15 Points:  Case/design influences

• 10 Points:  Plant Pallet

• 50 Points:  Design Development (schematic, study model, sketches, computer model, refinement, and final model)

• 10 Points:  Graphics and Presentation