The KTUA landscape plan for the 226-unit graduate student housing project emphasizes the functionality of sustainable landscape combined with aesthetic expression designed to provide a healthy and pleasing environment for the students while earning LEED Gold certification. The $43,000,000 design-build project minimizes site disturbance, provides for recycling of existing on-site materials, makes use of low water-use planting and rapidly renewable plant materials, and features pervious pavements, maximized open space, as well as strong pedestrian and bicycle connections to the University campus. With KTUA’s assistance, the 2-acre site was carefully graded and balanced to avoid off-site export, minimize site walls, and limit disturbance of existing landscape and habitat. The project features a number of outdoor courtyards and outdoor rooms, including two meditation gardens with labyrinths, a green roof garden, and a barbecue area.
Brooke Whalen