university of south carolina aiken land plan study

U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h C a r o l i n a A i k e n

Land Plan Study

06.27.2008

�Neal Prince Architects USC Aiken Landplan

USC Aiken Landplan Goals

Campus Growth

Develop a Land Plan that allows for the orderly expansion of the campus over the next ten years and that projects land use beyond that period Provide flexibility for growth and change over time

Plan for infrastructure improvements that support long-range growth

Prepare for future growth in academic departments along with residential life, athletics, administration and operations/maintenance/storage

Preserve and enhance campus safety and security as the campus expands

Campus Environment

Improve circulation connections between the two land areas of campus

Connect all areas and buildings of the campus together with a sense of continuity, while keeping a strong academic core

Achieve and sustain a balance between built spaces, pedestrian and vehicular pathways, buffers and green space

Develop strong pedestrian circulation flow throughout the campus

Continue to emphasize the sense of a close-knit campus community

Promote facilities that have a mix of interdisciplinary activities

Conserve environmental assets and preserve the character of the campus.

Enhance the physical sense of place and community

Student Life

Attract and retain students with an engaging campus and attractive facilities

Provide adequate open space for informal social gathering, outdoor study areas and recreational space

Provide indoor and outdoor places for commuter students to study/relax/socialize

(Continued on Next Page)Landplan Goals

2 Neal Prince ArchitectsUSC Aiken Landplan

USC Aiken Landplan Goals (continued)

Student Life (Continued)

Improve basic classrooms with updated teaching tools/technology and improved aesthetics

Improve proximity of food service for the student residence area

Improve food service for commute students and residential students, and for catering various small and large events

Provide parking within reasonable distance of student and faculty functions

Campus Image

Create strong entrances to the campus that result in a positive first impression

Enhance and extend the positive qualities of the central quad to all parts of campus, with an emphasis on site amenities and special features

Enhance the campus identity within the community context

Address deferred maintenance of buildings, including improving the image of older buildings, such as the Penland facade

Land Plan Benefits

Provides a sound basis for capital budgeting.

Creates a visual plan to communicate a vision to supporters

Provide a basis for improved directional signage on campus

Establish a framework for phased infrastructure improvements that fit long-range growth

Support a strategic response to surrounding community growth and development

Landplan Goals

�Neal Prince Architects USC Aiken Landplan

Existing Campus

Academic Facilities•Existing 577,000 SF

Student Housing•Existing 968 Beds

Parking Spaces•Existing 2,100

Facilities•Existing 105,000 SF

Parking Spaces•Existing 501

Main Campus

West Campus

70’0’ 140’ 280’ 560’

Existing Campus

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Exisintg Campus Detail

01 Convocation Center

02 Pickens-Salley House

03 Ruth Patrick Science Education Center

04 Alan B Miller Nursing Building 05 Student Activities Center

06 Supply and Maintenance Builidng

07 Business + Education

08 Allan B Miller Etherredge Center

09 Penland Administration and Classroom Building

10 Gregg-Graniteville Library

11 Humanities and Social Sciences

12 Science Building

13 Children’s Center

14 Pacer Downs Student Apartments

15 Pacer Downs Residence Hall

16 Pacer Crossings Residence Hall

EXISTING BUILDINGS •

CAMPUS FEATURES •A Quadrangle

B Soccer Field

C Recreation Area

D Roberto Hernandez Baseball Stadium

E Softball and Intramural Field

F Tennis Courts

5Neal Prince Architects USC Aiken Landplan

Phase One

Academic FacilitiesExistingNewTotal

577,000 SF40,000 SF

617,000 SF

Student HousingExisting 968 Beds

Parking SpacesExistingDemoNewTotal

2,100114370

2,356

Main Campus

West Campus

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Phase One

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Diagonal Circulation (Demo �60 Spaces)

Academic Quad (Demo �92 Spaces)

Parking Configuration Options

FacilitiesExisting 105,000 SF

Parking SpacesExisting 501

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Academic FacilitiesExistingPhase 1NewTotal

577,000 SF617,000 SF120,000 SF737,000 SF

Student Housing

Parking SpacesExistingPhase 1NewTotal

2,1002,356

2652,621

ExistingNewTotal

968 Beds250 Beds

1,218 Beds

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Facilities

Parking SpacesExistingNewTotal

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105,000 SF50,000 SF

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19 Etherredge Expansion

20 Student Housing

21 Maintenance Building

22 Continuing Education and Conference Center

NEW BUILDINGS •



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C Recreation Area



F Tennis Courts

G Pedestrian Bridge

H Campus Boulevard

J Amphitheater

K Reflecting Pool

L Academic Quadrangle

M Gateway Signage

N Parking Expansion

P New Penland Facade

R Housing Traffic Gates

S Wildflower Plantings

T Tower

U Flag Memorial

V Vertical Memorial

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Long-Range Landplan

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Final Landplan

Academic FacilitiesExistingPhase 2NewTotal

577,000 SF697,000 SF263,000 SF960,000 SF

Student Housing


2,1002,621

2062,827

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968 Beds1,218 Beds

250 Beds1,468 Beds

Main Campus

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19 Etherredge Expansion

20 Student Housing

21 Maintenance Building

22 Continuing Education and Conference Center



25 Student Activities Center Expansion


27 Student Housing

28 Visitor’s Center

NEW BUILDINGS •



B Soccer Field

C Recreation Area



F Tennis Courts

G Pedestrian Bridge

H Campus Boulevard

J Amphitheater

K Reflecting Pool

L Academic Quadrangle

M Gateway Signage

N Parking Expansion

P New Penland Facade

R Housing Traffic Gates

S Wildflower Plantings

T Tower

U Flag Memorial

V Vertical Memorial

W Walking Trail

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��Neal Prince Architects USC Aiken Landplan

Campus Perspective ABird’s Eye View Looking East Through Campus

The long-range development of the Main

Campus envisions a pedestrian-friendly

environment that engages students into the life

of the campus. A primary pedestrian pathway

draws a diagonal line that connects the most

distant ends of the campus, tying together

the Academic Core of the campus with the

Student Residence area. Future academic

buildings reinforce the sense of place within

the Academic Core, forming new courtyards

that extend the park-like setting of the main

quad and resulting in a series of identifiable

academic communities. Future Student

Residence Halls eventually replace the Pacer

Downs Apartments, increasing the density of

housing in close proximity to the academic

core.

In the heart of the campus, a new tower

becomes a focal point for students, located

on the actual center point of the campus and

marking the intersection of the major walkways.

The goal of the tower’s design is to become an

iconic feature that strengthens the identity of

the campus.

Another key feature of the future improvement

is the new academic complex located between

the Etherredge Center and the Sciences

Building. The L-shaped complex forms a

gateway between the Academic Core and the

Student Residence area. The primary diagonal

walkway cuts through a two-story opening in

the new building, offering a grandly framed

view of the campus from either direction. The

plaza area and stepped amphitheater provide

areas for informal student interaction and for

special campus events.

Campus Perspective A


Campus Perspective BBird’s Eye View Looking West Towards Convocation Center

The long-range development of the West

Campus envisions a complex of community

and the facilities adjoining the Convocation

Center. This approach allows for a ‘critical

mass’ of activities that will make this site a

high-powered center for large community and

campus events. The additional buildings on

each side of the Convocation Center provide

flexible conferencing space, multi-purpose

exhibit space, lecture halls, and performance

auditoriums for a variety of functions. The

two new buildings strengthen the visual

impact of the Convocation Center by creating

complementary brick and glass bookends for

the current facility, and by providing a new

civic plaza in front of the Center. With a

landscaped terrace that features a reflecting

pool and fountain, the space in front of the

Convocation Center becomes a place for large

groups of people to gather during community

events. Diagonal pedestrian pathways leading

into the civic terrace are edged with wildflower

meadows, creating a beautiful foreground for

the Center, and serving as a visual extension

of the natural setting of the main campus.

Surrounding the community facilities are large

parking areas with convenient drop-off areas

along the edge of the buildings. The expansive

glass areas of the new buildings provide a view

from the Parkway into the lobbies, promoting

the connection of the inside activities to

passing traffic.

Seen in the background, the pedestrian bridge

over Robert Bell Parkway connects the Main

Campus with the community and athletic

facilities of West Campus. The bridge serves

as a safe route for student traffic, while also

becoming a symbolic gateway for USC Aiken.

The bridge fits into the natural topographic

land form of the campus, leading directly to the

second level of one of the future community

buildings.

Campus Perspective B

��Neal Prince Architects USC Aiken Landplan Campus Perspective C

Campus Perspective CEye Level View Looking Southwest On Robert Bell Parkway

Main Campus Pedestrian Bridge Future Community

Facility

Convocation Center

Future Community

Facility

�� Neal Prince ArchitectsUSC Aiken Landplan

Campus Perspective DEye Level View Looking West Towards Penland Building

Campus Perspective D

�5Neal Prince Architects USC Aiken Landplan

Existing Campus Use Sectors

Long-Range Campus Use SectorsThe long-range plan for the USC Aiken campus shows the capacity for growth in all four major sectors:

The existing USC Aiken campus is divided into four major sectors:

WEST CAMPUS

MAIN CAMPUS

WEST CAMPUS

MAIN CAMPUS

The Academic Core contains classrooms and lab spaces, library, student activities center, food services, faculty offices, administrative offices, open campus space and parking

The Community Sector features the new Convocation Center, the Etherredge Center Theater, and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center.

The Athletics Area includes the Convocation Center, the Baseball field, and other outdoor fields and courts.

The Student Residence Area includes older apartments, new residence halls, outdoor activity areas, and parking; nearby play fields offer intramural sports for students.

The Academic Core contains new classroom and lab buildings, improved library space, enlarged student activities center and food services, additional faculty offices and administrative offices, plus improved campus space and parking.

The Community Sector features two new multi-purpose event facilities adjacent to the Convocation Center, the Etherredge Center Theater, and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, and more parking.

The Athletics Area includes the Convocation Center, the Baseball field, Softball Field, Tennis Center, Practice Fields, Golf Practice Facility, intramural fields, and more parking.

The Student Residence Area contains additional apartments, new residence halls, and more parking.

Sector Diagram


Walking Distances + Travel Times

Long Range Campus EntrancesThe Land Plan proposes marking several key Campus Entrance locations along the public thoroughfares surrounding the campus. Each point of entry would be marked with gateway piers with signage and landscape, creating a strong identity for USC Aiken around the perimeter of the campus.

The majority of locations on the Main Campus fit within a five-minute walking radius from the center point of the campus. The center point was determined by considering the five-minute distance to the furthest reach of the academic core, which extends to the entry of the Nursing Building. The other end of the radius reaches into the Student Residence area, indicating that the overall Main Campus is comfortably scaled to serve successfully as a pedestrian-friendly environment. In the long-range plan, only a few facilities would be located beyond this convenient walking distance. In general, the more distant facilities would be in the West Campus area, providing special ‘destination’ events such as athletics, concerts and community activities. The only student facilities on the Main Campus that would be a longer walk would be the future apartment housing, which would be oriented to attract upperclassmen seeking greater independence.

5 Minute Walking Radius

WEST CAMPUS

MAIN CAMPUS

WEST CAMPUS

MAIN CAMPUS

Travel Distances and Entries


Existing Campus Open Spaces

Long Range Open SpacesOne of the key principles of the long-range Land Plan is the extension of the beautiful landscape and pedestrian character of the central quad into the rest of the campus. The future buildings will be sited so that they will naturally form courtyard spaces that link one area of campus to the next. The final result will be a campus that encourages pedestrian movement throughout the campus, along with the informal interactions of vibrant student life.

The primary open spaces of the existing campus are concentrated in the central quad. Outside of the beauty of the landscaped quad, most of the open spaces quickly dissipate into parking lots and roadways.

Open Spaces


Long Range Campus Sightlines

The long-range plan adds several features that strengthen the sightlines into campus from the surrounding streets. The Convocation Center becomes a more significant focal point with the addition of two bookend buildings and a major civic landscaped plaza in front. The view to Penland is improved by façade updates to the building and by the new landscape and water feature in front. Within the campus, the buildings and open spaces are configured to emphasize sightlines along the new diagonal pathway that ties the Academic Core to the Student Residence area..

The primary sightlines of the existing campus are focused on views from Robert Bell Parkway toward the Convocation Center and from University Parkway toward Penland. Within the campus interior, the primary sightlines occur between buildings surrounding the central Quad.

Existing Campus Sightlines

Sightlines


Long Range Campus Pedestrian CirculationThe focus of the pedestrian pathways is to emphasize the strong campus sightlines while providing convenient routes to various campus structures. Also, a walking/jogging trail consisting of two paths (a 2 mile loop and a 2.7 mile loop) is provided for recreation.

The new plan calls for more user-friendly vehicular circulation, while maintaining security for the campus. The new circulation paths are enhanced by a new tree-lined entry boulevard connected to the Robert Bell Parkway. In addition, housing parking will maintain restricted vehicular access.

Long Range Campus Vehicular Circulation

Circulation Diagrams


The existing campus provides some prime areas of greenscape that define a positive character for the overall campus. The central quad sets a high standard for a park-like quality of pedestrian movement through a naturally forested landscape. The wooded areas near Pickens-Salley and north of Nursing provide a sense of the natural environment that characterizes this region of the state. The significant width of green buffer along the campus perimeter creates a comfortable setback for buildings and parking areas.

Existing Campus Greenscape

The long-range Land Plan seeks to enhance the greenscape of the campus by extending the character of the forested quad into the new courtyard spaces. A simple landscape of trees, flowering shrubs and wildflower meadows will continue the beauty of the park-like setting. Wildflower meadows in front of the Convocation Center will enhance the setting while bringing a strong visual focus toward the community facilities. Parking lots, whether old or new, will be shaded with a grid of trees. The perimeter of campus will continue the theme of green buffers that establishes a positive identity for the campus.

Long Range Campus Greenscape

Greenspace

university of south carolina aiken land plan study

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