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Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Campus Green08-12-24 | Feature

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Campus Green

Albany, New York
by The LA Group Landscape Architecture & Engineering P.C.

At Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Albany, New York, landscape architecture firm The LA Group from Saratoga Springs, New York was tasked with revitalizing the Campus Green into a new social hub that includes an open lawn, plaza space, a medicinal garden, tree bosque, and various walks. Ginkgo (Ginkgo bilboa 'Princeton Sentry') trees serve as a visual buffer to the southern portion of campus. Their unique fan-shaped leaves and vibrant fall foliage add aesthetic appeal and seasonal interest.
Approaching the Campus Green from the southwest, granite seat walls, pavements, and plantings effectively guide pedestrians towards the center of campus. A granite paver banding was added to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal and act as a deterrent to skateboarder use. These elements, in conjunction with the plant palette and light pole banners, help establish the team's goal of a unified landscape vocabulary and distinctive campus identity. Autumn Blaze maple trees (Acer x freemanii) were added for their height.
Approaching the Campus Green from the southwest, granite seat walls, pavements, and plantings effectively guide pedestrians towards the center of campus. A granite paver banding was added to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal and act as a deterrent to skateboarder use. These elements, in conjunction with the plant palette and light pole banners, help establish the team's goal of a unified landscape vocabulary and distinctive campus identity. Autumn Blaze maple trees (Acer x freemanii) were added for their height.
Following the path South from the Gozzo Student Center building leads to a medicinal garden, which was included to create a sense of continuity and harmony. This garden features similar paving materials and scoring patterns to the surrounding landscape and Campus Green. Additionally, the garden was designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of botany, pharmacology, and ecology by directly engaging with the plants and observing their growth patterns, characteristics, and uses. To accomplish these goals, the team added purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), bee balms (Monarda) (used for Oswego Tea), New England Asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), and numerous other medicinal plant varieties.
As individuals exit the school library, located in the North end of the Campus Green, they are faced with a brick seat wall and landscaping that serve a dual purpose in enhancing aesthetic cohesion and functioning as a transitional space for pedestrians as they enter or exit the Campus Green. Granite seat walls, pavements, and plantings guide pedestrians around the Campus Green.
As individuals exit the school library, located in the North end of the Campus Green, they are faced with a brick seat wall and landscaping that serve a dual purpose in enhancing aesthetic cohesion and functioning as a transitional space for pedestrians as they enter or exit the Campus Green. Granite seat walls, pavements, and plantings guide pedestrians around the Campus Green.

The Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) and The LA Group of Saratoga Springs, New York, embarked on an ambitious initiative to enhance students' educational, social, and recreational experience by creating a vibrant outdoor gathering hub that nurtures not only intellectual growth but also the overall well-being of students throughout their educational journey. This initiative was driven by the findings of a comprehensive master plan study conducted in 2019 led by The LA Group, JMZ Architects and Planners, and Huston Engineering.

The master plan study conducted a thorough exploration of the college's needs and aspirations for the campus. It entailed a meticulous evaluation involving a detailed site analysis that scrutinized opportunities and constraints, examined vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns, evaluated site drainage, and assessed lighting and safety concerns. Additionally, the site assessment encompassed a detailed review of pavements, site amenities, signage, and landscaping conditions as well as the adequacy of outdoor spaces, accessibility, and parking.
Stakeholder engagement in the master planning process was extensive, incorporating a range of methods such as a student engagement workshop and an online survey. These initiatives aimed to directly gather insights from those who would be most affected by the project. This inclusive approach proved to be crucial in establishing the groundwork for the subsequent design phase.

The site analysis revealed that the campus lacked sufficient outdoor gathering spaces, adequate walkways, and an overall sense of arrival and campus identity. This was further confirmed by interviews with faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, those who attended the student engagement workshop and participated in the online survey also identified providing more outdoor gathering spaces and improving walkways as priorities. Only 7% of those who attended the workshop thought there were sufficient places on campus to meet and socialize with friends.

In response to these shortcomings, the team created the Campus Green initiative, which envisioned creating a diverse outdoor space within an existing open lawn situated on the south side of campus. The existing green space, although expansive, suffered from wear and a lack of significant integration with the campus, leading to its underutilization and neglect. Nevertheless, recognizing the ample available land and its proximity to the bustling Student Center, this location was selected for revitalization into a distinct and inclusive focal point that had been noticeably absent from the campus landscape. A key vision for the project was to provide an inspiring outdoor environment that supports a myriad of active, passive, and educational opportunities aimed to offer students a much-needed respite from the confines of indoor classrooms.

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Through meticulous and collaborative design efforts, the team crafted a plan to integrate an open lawn, plaza space, medicinal garden, tree bosque, and walk system into the design. This comprehensive approach resulted in a harmonious realization of the envisioned space, providing a welcoming environment that fulfills the desired vision.

Open Lawn
Strategically positioned granite seat walls, pathways, trees, and hedges define the shape of the lawn and guide pedestrian flow around the space as intended. This design not only maximizes the use of the green space but also addresses the issue of the undesirable diagonal foot traffic identified during site analysis, which conflicted with the envisioned open lawn concept. Through strategic placement of vertical seat walls, hedges, and trees, the design discourages previous traffic patterns. Additionally, the lawn was graded to enhance accessibility and accommodate various recreational and passive activities. The resulting solution is both elegant and practical, fulfilling its aesthetic and functional objectives.

Plaza
The plaza gathering space functions as a seamless extension of the Student Center, offering an array of amenities and opportunities for students to engage in various activities. With its spacious layout and inviting ambiance, it serves as a dynamic hub for outdoor dining, providing students with the chance to enjoy their meals amidst the fresh air and scenic surroundings. Moreover, the space caters to the academic needs of students by providing ample room for group study sessions, where collaborative learning can thrive in a relaxed outdoor setting. Its physical relationship to the Campus Green enhances the overall vibrancy and liveliness of the campus.
Medicinal Garden
The inclusion of a medicinal garden was essential to the team's vision, as medicinal plants are fundamental to ACPHS's commitment to holistic healthcare practices. In collaboration with an alumni committee, The LA Group meticulously designed the garden and medicinal plant pallet. Despite not serving as the focal point of the Campus Green, special emphasis was given to seamlessly integrating the garden into the overall aesthetic and functionality of this space. This was achieved through strategically placing the garden along a main pedestrian route, using scoring patterns and aligning the garden's orientation to complement the green. Comfortable seating arrangements invite visitors to linger and appreciate the tranquility of the space, while a low-profile granite curb subtly delineates its borders. A sculpture serves as a focal point, adding aesthetic interest and depth to the landscape. The selection and arrangement of plantings not only contribute to the garden's beauty, but also offer diverse textures, colors, and fragrances, enriching the user's experience. This thoughtful design ensures the medicinal garden is a nod to the historical significance of plants in pharmaceuticals, a living classroom, and an integral part of the campus while embodying the institution's dedication to academia, nature, and holistic healthcare practices.
Tree Bosque
Princeton Sentry Ginkgo (Ginkgo bilboa 'Princeton Sentry') trees were planted at equal intervals along the southern edge of the Campus Green. Selected for their dense foliage and upright growth habit, they establish a green boundary, screening the area from undesirable views while providing a sense of privacy and tranquility. Additionally, these trees extend the medicinal garden's learning environments by providing students the opportunity to study the Ginkgo tree and therapeutic benefits.

This designated area offers students another distinctive setting within the Campus Green - an inviting, shaded space that provides a refreshing alternative to the open green area and encourages relaxation, study, and
social interaction.

Walks
The team placed significant emphasis on pedestrian circulation patterns during the design process. Examination of the existing conditions revealed the campus was fragmented, with parking lots dominating the landscape and lacking pedestrian connections. Students were frequently observed traversing areas not designated with walks, leading to the formation of unofficial walking lines over time. A newly implemented serpentine walkway system was designed to combat this issue, as it provides the desired linkages identified in the master plan while creating numerous visual, social, and recreational opportunities along each respective path.

Conclusion
The Campus Green project, led by Bob Kernan at The LA Group, is a testament to the transformative power of thoughtful landscape architecture. It has become a central hub for social interaction, learning, and relaxation, embodying the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences' commitment to a holistic educational environment. Through a collaborative and inclusive design process, the project has successfully addressed the multifaceted needs of the campus community. Key design elements have been thoughtfully integrated to enhance the space's functionality, beauty, and educational value, highlighting the essential role of outdoor spaces in enhancing the quality of life and learning in academic institutions. The project acknowledges the interconnectedness of academic, social, and emotional needs, providing an environment that supports personal growth, resilience, and a sense of community. Altogether, the intricate network of design techniques applied at The Campus Green has yielded a distinct atmosphere that encapsulates and reinforces the spirit of the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences community.

As seen in LASN magazine, June 2024.

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