With an emphasis on client interaction, The Collaborative prides itself on design solutions tailored to each client's specific needs and context. Founded in Toledo, Ohio in 1973, with an additional office in Ann Arbor, Mich., the firm is led by six principals who are hands-on in day-to-day project management. The 45-person team is broken down into functional focus areas, creating experts in the areas of design solutions and project delivery mechanics. The award-winning landscape architecture and planning studio has completed projects from the Statue of Liberty to the St. Louis Arch and truly appreciates every aspect of interaction with the natural environment.

Adrian College, Caine Plaza, Adrian, Michigan
The design goal for the new plaza was to create an outdoor "living room" for Adrian College's student center. The plaza boasts four fire features, a water feature, two trellises, a mix of lighting, and moveable furniture for various uses. With attributes ideal for presentations, cocktail receptions and campus gatherings, Caine Plaza combines the comfort and function of a common room with the freedom of an outdoor environment.

Iona College Master Plan, New Rochelle, New York

Kent State University/City of Kent – Esplanade, Kent, Ohio
In 2007, Kent State University teamed with The Collaborative to design the 2,950' pedestrian esplanade that runs through campus. Looking to expand on the success and character of the esplanade, the university, along with the city of Kent, again engaged The Collaborative to develop an extension for this pedestrianway. The 1,000' extension includes a new gateway, neighborhood pedestrian corridor and great lawn. It creates a direct connection between KSU's campus, the city and the planned PARTA (Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority) transit facility. The esplanade is not only a pedestrian path, but also a campus icon with a distinctive environment for social activities. The thoroughfare addresses issues like safety, vehicular, ADA and emergency access; mixed-use pedestrian traffic; campus wayfinding; building entries; and pedestrian connections to other campus quads.

Ohio Wesleyan University JAYwalk, Delaware, Ohio
Located in the heart of campus, the 1/3-mile long JAYwalk is a heavily traveled pedestrianway that connects student housing to the academic core. Originally constructed in 1987, the JAYwalk was no longer meeting the needs of the institution. The overarching goal is to transform this underperforming space into a campus destination. The overall design includes a new open lawn, large outdoor social spaces, opportunities for vibrant pedestrian culture and integration of seasonal color and rain gardens.

Widener College Campus Core, Chester, Pennsylvania
Following the completion of the master plan and streetscape projects, The Collaborative was again hired to transform a greenspace in the core of campus, now referred to as the academic quad. The goal of the project was to design a destination to unify the campus, while enhancing the pedestrian experience. The project included a new pedestrian gateway in addition to the redesigned quadrangle. Inspired by the unique Pennsylvania Appalachian ecoregion, the design incorporates 63 plant species native to the state. The plant selection and design also reflect Widener's passion for sustainability, assisting with the LEED registration of Founders Hall.

Berea College Master Plan, Berea, Kentucky
Berea's historic campus is an integral part of town, thus special attention was given to the context and development of the campus edges. In an effort to further integrate campus and community, the master planning team developed strategies for pedestrian and vehicular flow while alleviating traffic issues. Relocation of State Route 595 allowed the college to create a new east quad.