Duke University for the West Campus Plaza with Hargreaves Associates; also Buro Happold; Mulkey Engineers; Fisher Marantz Stone

    
photos by Mark Hough

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Duke University’s West Campus Plaza is the symbolic, programmatic and geographic heart of campus and functions as the primary pedestrian crossroads, since it holds the highest concentration of student-oriented programming. A primary goal was to create a new open space. The design proposed a simple form and function to satisfy program needs in a cohesive manner.

The project was largely about circulation to not only ease pedestrian traffic or efficiently get students from point A to point B, but also to provide attractive and engaging experiences along the way. This new pedestrian “street” is now one of the most vibrant and lively campus spaces.

The new plaza has a series of platforms, each attached to the main path and designed at a different scale to accommodate non-programmed and programmed events, and encourage social interaction.

With a 6,000-acre research forest and 2,000 acres of immediate campus landscape containing significant woodland areas, Duke refers to itself as a university in the forest. It is one of the primary principles guiding campus planning and design.

To bring trees to the elevation of the new plaza, a large planter was built under the surface to provide structure and sufficient planting medium for canopy trees. It was complicated and costly, but the shade, texture and scale that the trees provide were worth it.

“The plaza has exceeded all our expectations with regard to campus beauty and functionality,” says Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta.

The influence of food on campus open space cannot be underestimated. Several solid stone-faced panels were removed from Bryan Center and replaced with a glass storefront, opening up the new interior restaurant space to the plaza, creating a positive relationship that previously did not exist.

Another important planning principle at Duke is that the campus should be walkable. This space is a pedestrian crossroad, collecting people headed to and from their destinations, providing an efficient, interesting and attractive path of travel.

The jury said, “ . . . amazing transformation . . . this was a major move . . . two elements of importance – pure landscape plan and effectiveness of hardscape . . . sends good message that landscape isn’t about vegetation but about placemaking . . . ”

Project Team: Duke University with Hargreaves Associates; also Buro Happold; Mulkey Engineers; Fisher Marantz Stone