resources southwest concourse renovation
TRANSCRIPT
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
GREEN BUILDING GUIDE
RESOURCES
SOUTHWEST CONCOURSE
RENOVATION
North Aerial Perspective
New Project Hopes to Turn
Southwest from Concrete Jungle to Urban Oasis – The Massachusetts Daily Collegian
New Bioretention Swale Diverts Rain,
Preserves Wetlands around UMass Amherst Campus – UMass Amherst News & Media Relations
UMass Amherst Completes Nearly
100 Building Projects and Upgrades During a Busy Summer of Construction Activity – UMass Amherst News & Media Relations
University of Massachusetts
Southwest Concourse: Designing Stormwater – Stephen Stimson Associates
University of Massachusetts
Southwest Concourse – Stephen Stimson Associates
Southwest Concourse UMass –
Studio 2112 Landscape Architecture
UMass Southwest Concourse – Crosby Schlessinger Smallridge, LLC
Southwest Concourse, UMass
Amherst – Soak Up the Rain
Video - Sustainability Made Easy
Site Plan
PROJECT OVERVIEW FEATURES & BENEFITS HOW IT WORKS
The $12 million Southwest Concourse renovation is a comprehensive revitalization of a five-acre central pedestrian core, bordered by residential towers, dining halls, and student activity spaces within the 5,000-student Southwest Residential Area.
Sustainability and environmental education themes are integrated throughout the landscape to encourage student interaction. The design incorporates campus and regional design influences to repopulate the landscape with native trees and plantings. Strategic variations in topography promote natural stormwater management, with minimal maintenance required. Together, these features create an aesthetically pleasing, environmentally sustainable Southwest that embodies the Pioneer Valley. The project received an Award of Excellence for Design by the Boston Society of Landscape Architects in 2012, and an Honor Award of Excellence by the Society for College University Planning in 2014.
Southwest Aerial Perspective
Existing site topography was modified to create a series of sloped, linear channels called bioswales. Bioswales collect, cleanse, and infiltrate stormwater naturally onsite, as opposed to conventional underground sewer systems. The sides and bottom of the bioswales are lined with native vegetation, soil, and rock to filter stormwater and remove harmful pollutants from surface runoff.
After treatment, stormwater is diverted to large basins, which discharge runoff into sewers and waterways. Basins are interspersed throughout the concourse, and also function as congregation areas for students. This stormwater strategy provides ideal growing conditions for trees,
Sustainably-harvested IPE hardwood
decking
Bioswale design utilizes salvaged
granite and recycled stone
Old concourse – 30% pervious
landscape surface, 70% impervious
hardscape
New concourse – 60% pervious
landscape surface, 40% impervious
hardscape
Stormwater management plan
incorporates rainwater infiltration and porous pavers to reduce offsite discharge
Runnel water diversion channels,
vegetated bioswales, rain gardens, tree box filters, and engineered soils aid in stormwater transport and infiltration, improving site drainage
Planting strategy utilizes a diverse
palette of native plant, shrub, and grass species
Site infrastructure and utility
upgrades provide increased energy efficiency throughout the entire concourse
Fosters student appreciation for
nature within an urban environment
Energy-efficient concourse lighting
design
Northeast View
Covered Bioswales