Learning Resources

Abstract: Awards programs are a way to not only recognize and applaud those individuals and organizations whose achievements exemplify excellence but also to provide learning opportunities for everyone whose lives and passions involve higher education. The 2019 jury members will share observations and trends from this year's entries and acknowledge award recipients. Award certificates will be distributed at the end of the program. Congratulations to the 2019 winners!

Abstract: Human education is an experience that has a spatial dimension. To optimize the design/architectural component as a factor of excellence, historically, the coordination of two attitudes at universities has been a vital heritage: utopia and planning. Utopia is the energy used by universities to conceive and evolve their physical establishments. By the process of planning, campuses have undergone a long-term evolution of their built heritage, focusing on those where the hallmark is their human scale. This article illustrates briefly the application of these concepts in five cases, which have been culturally recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. However, it explores in depth one of those: The University of Virginia.

Abstract: A state mandate to increase undergraduate enrollment, the aspiration to achieve an Association of American Universities institution profile, and a desire to become carbon neutral—we'll discuss how the University of California (UC) Riverside negotiated these competing challenges while developing its master plan. Innovation is key while achieving access improvements, research aspirations, and environmental stewardship objectives. We'll share how community college districts, private colleges, and other institutions are implementing practical solutions to the new century's challenges while maintaining the institution’s sense of place and heritage.

Abstract: Connection hubs re-vision the traditional campus commons so it encourages community, personal interaction, and wellness. These flexible and transformable spaces allow students, faculty, and staff to gather, collaborate, and emotionally bond with the environment. We will look at examples of connection hubs and discuss how they are designed, their benefits, and how their impact is measured.

Abstract: Fostering conversation and engagement transcends merely providing gathering spaces—it’s about cultivating an ethos of wellness, inclusivity, and sustainability, as modeled by the Mashouf Wellness Center at San Francisco State University. Explore how a single project—in this case the first major ground-up building in 24 years—models wellness, inclusion, and sustainability for other projects, plans, and policies on an evolving campus. We will share approaches to engaging students in an inclusive design process and strategies for designing spaces that encourage discourse and cultivate an ethos of inclusivity and wellness.

Abstract: While nontraditional students now make up the majority of most student bodies, we continue to use physical planning outreach and engagement tools designed for traditional students. This session shares how we developed new practices and tools to deliver better campus experiences for students from nontraditional backgrounds, yielding social equity in campus planning and building design. You will learn about new physical planning engagement and assessment tools that reveal and remedy the disparities nontraditional students encounter in their lives on campus.

Abstract: Many institutions are trying to figure out what to do with buildings from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, many of which could be considered “background buildings”. With failing systems and extensive upgrade costs, what are the pros and cons of renew versus replace? Can “old” be made new again while maintaining architectural diversity for students on campus? See how other campuses are dealing with this issue as it relates to policy and capital projects. We'll include case studies of both rehabilitation and tear-down.

Abstract: Design standards define what makes a campus unique without limiting creativity. This session highlights the trials and tribulations of defining what should and should not be in the campus standards. We'll discuss how to rethink the processes for creating and implementing campus standards, focusing on the “why” of campus standards while balancing life-cycle costs and ease of operation. We'll also look at how to better implement and communicate the standards, increasing the likelihood that they are incorporated into projects.

Abstract: Institutional data trends over time is important to show progress or areas of concern. It can be equally important to compare oneself to like institutions. Have you ever thought about how a peer group gets determined? If you have a peer group, have you ever wanted to evaluate the group using data? You will learn an approach for developing a data-informed peer group and how benchmarking with a peer group can inform your institution's governing board and be linked to mission.

Abstract: Locating K12 academic programs on a university campus with access to advanced facilities helps students at all stages of learning thrive from synergies supported by integrated learning and teaching environments. We will discuss the development of facilities to support K12 programs on a university campus, provide principles for creating multi-generational learning institutions, and translate the process of inquiry to fulfilling a university’s mission.