Located in the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, the University of South Carolina's (USC) Campus Village is a landmark development that reimagines the future of student living through an integrated blend of architecture, landscape, and hardscape design. It spans more than nine acres and includes four new residence halls, an 1,800-space parking deck, student dining facilities, academic spaces, and several retail amenities - all united by a network of thoughtful outdoor spaces that prioritize student wellness, connection, and mobility.

Wood+Partners (WP) served as the lead landscape architecture firm on Stage 1 of the project, in partnership with the architect of record and team leader Boudreaux. WP's role spanned from master planning and design development to construction documentation and administration, with a particular focus on hardscape design, grading strategies, planting design, circulation planning, and placemaking. Landscape Architects Kyle Theodore, PLA, Trey Griffin, PLA, and David McAllister, PLA, led the design effort, working in close collaboration with university representatives, architects, engineers, and the developer to deliver a unified and enduring outdoor environment.

A Site with Opportunity
The project location, situated at the southern edge of the USC campus, was historically underutilized. Its redevelopment offered the university a chance to physically and symbolically reconnect this area with the main campus and the surrounding city through landscape architecture. Drawing inspiration from USC's historic Horseshoe and the award-winning Gamecock Park, the team aimed to bring a similar sense of place and identity to Campus Village. The Landscape Architects translated the timeless character of these iconic spaces into a contemporary context, creating a cohesive environment that successfully integrates both thoughtful programming and efficient circulation within a modern residential community.

Project Goals and Guiding Principles
The primary goal was to create a student-centered, pedestrian-oriented environment that promotes interaction, wellness, and academic success. The design needed to accommodate the everyday rhythms of student life - from walking and biking to gathering, relaxing, and studying - while also establishing an attractive and enduring public realm.

 

Key objectives included 1) creating seamless pedestrian and bike connectivity within the village and between adjacent university zones; 2) designing outdoor spaces that support passive and active use, including informal gathering, events, study, and recreation; 3) addressing significant grade changes across the site while maintaining accessibility and spatial coherence; 4) using high-quality materials that reflect the campus identity and support long-term durability; and 5) integrating landscape and hardscape features to foster a sense of place and comfort for students.

Design Process and Method
Beginning with a comprehensive site analysis to understand circulation patterns, view corridors, topographic conditions, and opportunities for placemaking, the design team worked closely with the broader consultant group to ensure the landscape meshed seamlessly with the building architecture and site infrastructure.

At the master plan scale, the site was organized around a series of open spaces, each with a distinct character and function. These include a main plaza at the intersection of two major promenades, an amphitheater integrated into a hillside between USC Campus Village Buildings 2 and 3, a central green serving as an informal recreation and connection space at Building 4, and a network of tree-lined pedestrian paths that provide strong internal and external campus connections. Circulation planning emphasized seamless connectivity between Campus Village, the Main Campus, and Athletics Village. Key visual corridors were preserved and enhanced through strategic grading and planting.

Hardscape Strategy and Materials
Hardscape design was a central element of the project, both functionally and aesthetically. A hierarchy of paving treatments was used to differentiate plaza spaces, promenades, and pedestrian walkways. Materials were chosen for durability, color compatibility with campus architecture, and textural variety. For example, brick pavers were specified for decorative accents at building entrances, concrete cobblestones were placed in the plaza and seating areas, and Belgard plaza pavers were used in larger open zones and key circulation routes. These materials work together to create a visual rhythm and tactile experience that supports pedestrian movement and site identity. Site furnishings - including Landscape Forms benches, decorative bollards, recycling stations, solar trash compactors, and Madrax bike racks - were selected for their modern design, durability, and student-friendly usability.

Social Nodes and Gathering Spaces
Campus Village was designed to be more than a place to live - it was envisioned as a place to connect. The main plaza serves as a central social hub, defined by its decorative paving, shade trees, and anchoring buildings. It's where the campus promenade system converges, offering both an intuitive wayfinding element and an open-air venue for events and day-to-day student life. Tiered amphitheater seating and breakout plazas provide flexible zones for informal study sessions, club meetings, and casual hangouts. Grassy lawns accommodate everything from pick-up soccer games to quiet reading sessions under the trees. Each element - whether paving material, bench placement, or lighting - was intentionally selected to reinforce social interaction and student well-being.

Overcoming Challenges
As with any large-scale campus development, the project encountered a variety of challenges. Chief among them was managing the existing topography, which required careful coordination between grading, building entries, utilities, and circulation systems. Rather than attempt to flatten the site, the Landscape Architects used the terrain to the project's advantage by incorporating retaining walls, tiered terraces, and sloped lawns to manage grade while also creating usable, visually compelling spaces. A standout example is the amphitheater, which transforms a steep hillside into tiered seating for relaxation, study, or small events. Terraced lawn areas with ornamental plantings and concrete seat walls take full advantage of the grade change while offering informal gathering spots that feel integrated and natural.

Another key challenge was the complexity of circulation. The site had to balance day-to-day pedestrian movement with vehicular service needs, such as student move-in days, routine trash collection, and emergency vehicle access. This meant allowing for increased widths to accommodate larger vehicles, such as fire trucks, while maintaining a pedestrian-friendly scale. To address this, the team utilized a mix of materials, including tooled concrete and concrete cobble pavers in areas requiring greater structural support. This strategy ensured safety and functionality without compromising the character of the space.

Project Outcome
Completed in 2023, Campus Village has already begun reshaping student life at USC. The outdoor spaces are heavily used and the hardscape elements have proven essential in defining spaces, guiding circulation, and enhancing the character of the development. The project sets a new benchmark for campus development at USC, demonstrating how landscape architecture can elevate function, foster community, and shape identity. Through its use of durable materials, thoughtful grading, and purposeful design, Campus Village is more than a collection of buildings - it's a vibrant, human-scaled environment where students live, learn, and belong.

As seen in LASN magazine, August 2025.