SCUP Excellence in Planning for an Established Campus,
Merit Award

Vermont Law School for the Framework Plan with Sasaki Associates, Inc.

Rendering provided courtesy of Sasaki Associates, Inc.

Rendering provided courtesy of Sasaki Associates, Inc.

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In April 2010, the Vermont Law School commissioned a framework plan to be completed in 10 weeks after purchasing the corner building on campus facing the South Royalton Village Green. Based on future projects and student needs, this was an opportunity to meet program needs and provide a specific vision for sustainability and landscape.

The jury said, “ . . . stellar project . . . loved the graphics . . . quiet, sustainable solutions . . . very modest yet elegant building . . .”

The planning process was conducted in three phases. In Phase One, the team analyzed existing building energy consumption, stormwater management demands, and potential regional energy partnerships to assess ways to make sustainability more visible.

Concept alternatives were produced and presented to the steering group in Phase Two and a clear, preferred direction emerged. Investment in Vermont Law School was tied to investment in the Village of South Royalton. The campus is the village, and the village is the campus.

Phase Three developed a tangible framework plan focusing growth on priority projects for renovation of existing buildings, landscape improvements, acquisition and historic preservation of buildings in the village, and new building development.

Key initiatives and strategies were to create a new “front door” to campus; determine an appropriate and financially sound preservation strategy for historic structures; improve the street network and parking areas; create better pedestrian connections; encourage more student housing in the village; and address future on-campus program needs.

Reusing historic campus and village buildings, distributing student residences in smaller houses in the village, and creating a dynamic “student village” with a cluster of buildings at the corner spread improvement costs over a long time period. Several smaller and more fundable projects resulted instead of one or two large capital-intensive ones.

The sustainability vision tied the success and prospects of the campus and the village together. Reusing historic buildings and barns at the crossroads integrated student activities closer to the community.

“We are impressed with the rigor in planning analysis, the broad range of thinking, and the vision the plan gives for our campus growth,” says James McGrath, director of the physical plant. “The plan will advance the school’s strategic goals by creating the infrastructure and environment needed to carry out its mission as the top environmental law program in the nation,” he adds.

Project Team: Vermont Law School with Sasaki Associates, Inc.