Christian Brothers University Cultural Vision Plan
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Architecture
Comprehensive Planning
Site Evaluation/Selection
Site Planning -
Adaptive Reuse
Comprehensive Planning
Enhanced Site Accessibility
Heat Island Effect Mitigation
Low Maintenance Materials
Passive Building Envelope
Permeable Surface Expansion
Rainwater Management -
Completed November 2016
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Memphis, Tennessee
Christian Brothers University is a tight-knit, passionate and energetic community, but felt that their existing physical campus did not reflect that same energy. Through a series of visioning meetings with various stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff, five goals were established: better connectivity, density, choice, hospitality, and holistic thinking. Key areas of campus were identified and re-imagined with these objectives in mind.
The Cultural Vision Plan re-imagines existing spaces throughout its 75-acre campus into new places that better meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff.
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Built in the 1960s with heavy concrete and brick buildings, the campus is disconnected and heavily car-focused. It feels like a transition, not a place to gather and collaborate. The façades of several buildings, including the student center, library, and a central classroom building, were opened up to provide better visibility and more opportunities for chance encounters and impromptu conversations. New walking paths were proposed to connect new and existing green space and create a more pedestrian-friendly and interconnected campus. Parking lots are pushed to the outer edges to create a central focus on the heart of campus and encourage interaction between commuters and residents on campus. Overall, the vision plan imagines a campus that is a physical expression of the creativity and connection already established by the community.
