SCUP Excellence in Planning for an Established Campus, Merit Award

University of Maine 2008 Master Plan at the University of Maine, Orono, ME and Sasaki Associates, Inc., Watertown, MA

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The purpose of the University of Maine master plan is to support the evolving academic and research mission of the university while promoting sustainability at the broadest level. It provides a comprehensive vision for the future, provides strategies for protecting the historic landscapes, organizes new districts, reutilizes existing historic buildings, utilizes land more efficiently through redevelopment, infill, and comprehensive sustainability strategy, and improves campus life.

A commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability informed the overall decision-making process. The plan enhances legacy of the historic Olmsted campus plans, and adopts many of the recommendations set forth in the 2007 Historic Preservation Plan. 

As signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, the master plan provides strategies to assist the university reduce carbon emissions. It is a living document that incorporates strategic recommendations, addresses stakeholder issues, and promotes meaningful and measurable sustainable design.

“The 2008 Master Plan is the result of a rigorous and responsible process and will play a pivotal role in assisting the University of Maine move toward a more sustainable and climate neutral future,” says Janet Waldron, Vice President for Administration and Finance.

The land use framework creates a growth boundary to concentrate academic, research and campus life facilities in the central campus area, limiting the impact on the surrounding natural systems and habitats. 

The framework recalls the South Mall as illustrated in the Olmsted Brothers plan. It is a new gathering space framed by expansion of the library and a series of future academic and research buildings. Proposed buildings link indoor and outdoor circulation to create interior streets, provide social spaces, group learning areas and pedestrian connectivity year round. For the revised South Mall, future buildings are shifted 90 degrees in an east-west orientation to provide passive solar benefits.

The master plan reinforces university engagement with the community and provides a range of open access amenities and facilities that link the campus with the surrounding neighborhoods. Extensive trail networks of the campus forests, the proposed riverfront trail and other internal routes effectively link campus with community. The Maine Center for the Arts, galleries, meeting facilities and libraries, provide important cultural amenities locally and statewide. The sporting venues offer a range of entertainment unique to a university community.

The jury said, “ . . . refreshing to see . . . a good environmentally driven plan . . . first attempt out of the box and is admirable. . .”

Project Team: University of Maine and Sasaki Associates, Inc. with Coplon Associates, Inc.