Paradise Found The Academic Quad at Bloomsburg University

by Jane Lawler Smith, MBA, Derck & Edson Associates, LLP

You know the Joni Mitchell song about paving paradise and the parking lot? Well, at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, that tune has been rewritten and what was once a parking lot is now a multi-faceted green space in the center of campus, a veritable paradise of gathering spaces for the students, faculty, visitors, and administration.

The Inspiration ~ How It All Began
The school’s Academic Quad site was previously a central parking area on campus, along with a smaller adjacent lawn panel. In the words of a university publication, “going…going…gone is Bloomsburg University’s ugliest and most annoying parking lot.” The site stretches from the campus library to the east side of the Student Services Building and includes a walkway to the north and south of Warren Center Student Services Building. Warren Center, Sutliff, Centennial, McCormick, Waller Halls and the Andruss Library bound it.

The university was looking for a firm to develop an overall design for the space that would address hardscape, lighting, and landscape planting improvements. In addition, they wanted to create spaces for gathering and social interaction, while incorporating new entrances to adjacent buildings and developing a strong pedestrian connection to further tie the campus together.

Tuning Up ~ Gathering Input for the Design
The Bloomsburg University administration came to the table with some clear and specific goals for the project. Overall, the space was envisioned as the crowning jewel that would cap off several recent construction projects in the immediate area. This new space, which would be aptly named the Academic Quad, is flanked by academic buildings, many newly constructed or recently renovated.

Amidst all this architecture, the Academic Quad was to function as a key gathering and unifying space in this part of campus. As such, green space was desired. The amount of impervious coverage within the project area has been decreased by approximately three quarters of an acre. This was important, as the 5.5 acre Academic Quad really functions as the only large campus green space for the student body, outside of the athletic fields located on the north edge of campus.

The plantings between the seat wall and walkway are English yew, big blue liriope and Otto luyken cherry laurel. Pedestrian poles/luminaries (HADCO), Zelkova trees and contemporary benches/trash receptacles (Wabash Valley) are the site elements.

In addition to a predominantly green space, the administration also desired an open space that would not obstruct views to the Andruss Library. Since the views to the library were of paramount concern, SketchUp software was used to create a 3D model of the site and surrounding buildings. The project team from Derck & Edson Associates could show the university administration through use of the digital model the impact of various design elements within the view shed.

The open space was also pictured as the perfect place to host commencement exercises if a variety of temporary seating could be incorporated into the space to accommodate approximately 6,000 people (graduates and guests).

The Bloomsburg University seal at the Central Plaza of the Academic Quad is a 10-ft. diameter Mesabi black granite slab, 4-inch thick custom cut (Cold Springs Granite) with a thermal finish and sandblast incised 1/8-inch lettering. Mesabi granite is quarried in Babbitt, Minnesota.

ADA-Accessibility
Finally, the open area was envisioned as an all-inclusive gathering space for anyone on the campus. Therefore, ADA compliance was an important consideration during the design work. ADA-compliant building access became part of the design. From these new building access points, the design called for a smooth transition to the pedestrian walkways to the north, south, east and west.

Of special concern was the Waller Building, which had no access on the quad-side of the building. Creating a new entry here to meet up with the existing building entry gave Waller Hall direct access to and from the Quad.

The Academic Quad walkways were constructed of 5-inch thick concrete to stand up to maintenance and emergency vehicle usage. The Quad is framed by deciduous elms (‘Green Vase’ Japanese Zelkovas) that parallel the pedestrian paths and tie in the rest of the recently improved pedestrian corridor, previously designed by Derck & Edson Associates.

The Composition ~ Key Design Details
After synthesizing all the input from the university, the design team got to work on design options to accommodate the various features desired for the space. The final design addressed all the items on the university’s list and even added some key design details to make this a unique yet immediately comfortable space.

The Stage ~ Located at the entrance to the Student Services Center, this raised area appears to be a normal hardscape entry plaza to any campus building. However, careful planning allowed the space to double as a stage for musical performances and concerts, and be the main stage for commencement exercises.

Campus Green ~ This natural grass area allows for passive recreation year-round, but it was also designed to host commencement exercises. Therefore, the space was sized to accommodate removable seating for commencements. This formerly flat site was regraded to create a gently sloping lawn. This change in grade works with the temporary seating to create an outdoor auditorium where everyone has a view of the stage. Finally, at the eastern-most part of the green, temporary bleachers can also be installed for additional seating, flanking the Central Plaza.

Central Plaza ~ Located close to the entry space for Centennial Hall and in the center of the Academic Quad, the Central Plaza is a more structured gathering space that contains the campus seal, a historic fountain, seat walls, site furnishings, raised planting areas and flowering trees. It functions as a pedestrian intersection, handling large numbers of students flowing in multiple directions at any one time, but also is a focal point and gathering space.

The University Seal ~ A distinctive hardscape element is the Bloomsburg University seal: a 10’ diameter Mesati black granite slab, custom cut, 4” thick with a thermal finish and sandblast incised 1/8” lettering. The addition of the seal creates an instant treasured photo spot and landmark on campus.

Revamping the Historic Fountain ~ An historic cast iron fountain is also incorporated into the Central Plaza area of the Academic Quad. The fountain was first donated to the university by the class of 1940. It was located elsewhere on campus and then was put on display inside one of the campus buildings. The administration wanted to reintroduce the fountain into the campus landscape and a new site within the Academic Quad was quickly selected.
However, the fountain had to be retrofitted with new fountain plumbing. Then, to add prominence to the fountain, a fountain ring was designed. The old fountain sits completely inside the new fountain ring. The fountain spray patterns from each fountain work together to create an interesting give-and-take of water.

Sculpture Garden ~ Adjacent to the Central Plaza, the Sculpture Garden offers a quiet seating and study area. The garden is now home to many sculptures previously located elsewhere in the space at random locations. The Sculpture Garden boasts the most intensive planting in the Academic Quad. It provides seasonal color, open lawn area, meandering paths, accent lighting. This is a more relaxed and organic space when compared to the Campus Green and Central Plaza.

Andruss Library Café ~ The Andruss Library now has an outdoor seating space, complemented with tables and umbrellas that showcase the Bloomsburg University school colors. This outdoor seating area is a natural extension of the existing indoor café seating.

Walkways ~ With all the special events anticipated for the Academic Quad, the walkways were constructed of 5-inch thick concrete. This better accommodates maintenance vehicles used to set-up for commencement, concerts and other special events. It also is built to withstand emergency vehicle access.

Hardscape ~ Additional hardscape elements were carefully selected to work in concert with the adjacent architecture and new green elements. At the Central Plaza and Outdoor Café, there’s a combination of poured concrete and unit-paver banding. For the stage area at the Student Center, bluestone pavers were installed on a mortar setting bed over a concrete base. This selection matched the existing pavement at the Student Services Building for size, color, jointing and pattern.

There is cast stone coping at the Central Plaza (on the raised planters, seat walls, and fountain pool), and on the stage (stair treads and raised planter walls). These custom-fabricated cast stone pieces add a unifying finish to the hardscape areas.

Landscaping ~ The Academic Quad is the green space on the Bloomsburg University campus. The Quad is framed by deciduous elms (‘Green Vase’ Japanese Zelkovas) that parallel the pedestrian paths and tie in the rest of the recently improved pedestrian corridor, previously designed by Derck & Edson Associates. These elements unite the Quad, wrapping around each of the main zones within the space as it transitions from structured to organic—from the campus green to the Central Plaza, and then to the Sculpture Garden.

A gently sloping open lawn area dominates the campus green. As the Quad transitions through the Central Plaza and to the Sculpture Garden, mounding is evident and used to create spaces for sculptures, enclaves for plantings and nooks for study or a bit of privacy.

Ground covers, ornamental grasses and flowering shade trees provide seasonal interest. In northeastern Pennsylvania, where winters can be cold and bleak, avoiding the look of a barren campus in the late fall and early spring a semester is a special concern. Now, evergreen ground covers and tall conifers mingle with heritage river birch, winterberry, various forms of junipers, and large beds of liriope.

The elevated entry to the Student Services Center doubles as a stage for commencement and various performances. Here, bluestone pavers were installed on a mortar setting bed over a concrete base. This selection matched the existing pavement at the Student Services Building for size, color, jointing and pattern. A fescue mix sod (Hoopes Turf Farm) was specified for the Bloomsburg Green.

Sharps and Flats ~ Design Challenges
One of the most notable design challenges for the campus project is one of the very things that makes the final space so successful—its location. The Academic Quad was intended to be the heart of the campus and main crossroads. This required working within a very tight site, surrounded by buildings that were in use throughout construction.

Extensive phasing and site accessibility drawings were required so students, faculty, and staff could continue to move throughout the site all during construction, which took place through the spring, summer and fall semesters.

Our designers maintained close contact with the general contractor, Don E. Bower, Inc., throughout construction.

Having a general contractor who took pride in the project and was willing to work to make the design intent a reality went a long way toward making the Academic Quad the inviting and successful space it is today.

Hitting a High Note ~ The Academic Opus
The Academic Quad is now the unifying element it was intended to be. Anyone on campus is immediately drawn to the space. Students have readily planned events in the area, including Zumba gatherings—dance-fitness done to Latin music developed by Alberto “Beto” Perez—and even campus-wide snowball fights.

Formal events have also been successful in the space, beginning in May of 2008 when nearly 1,100 Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania seniors received their bachelor’s degrees during the first commencement ceremonies on the Academic Quad. Each element of the overall Quad works in concert with the others, creating a lively and welcoming core for the Bloomsburg University campus.

About the Firm
Derck & Edson Associates, established in 1940, offers planning and design services to shape the natural and built environment in innovative and functional ways. The staff includes landscape architects, civil engineers and land planners with a full range of design and technical capabilities.

The firm’s services include land planning, site design, civil engineering and construction administration. The firm specializes in higher education campus work, downtown centers, corporate facilities, senior-living communities and athletic venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

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Bloomsburg University Team
Landscape Architects: Derck & Edson Associates
Design Estimating: Construction Cost Management
Electrical Contractor: Mariano Construction
Fountain Retrofit: Atlantic Fountains
General Contractor: Don E. Bower, Inc.
Landscape Contractor: Green Valley Landscaping
Lighting: Consolidated Engineers
Wall Structure Review, Extra Thick Concrete Cross-Sections: Zug Associates

Vendors
Pre-Engineered Surface Drainage: ABT PolyDrain
Granite Seal Manufacturer: Cold Spring Granite
Hanover Architectural Products
Bollards, Bike Racks: IRONSMITH
PEM Fountain Controls
Benches: Wabash Valley Manufacturing