Southwest Concourse Renovation (2011)

The Southwest Concourse renovation is a comprehensive revitalization of a five-acre central pedestrian core, bordered by residential towers, dining halls, and student activity spaces within the 5,000-student Southwest Residential Area. The design incorporates campus and regional design influences to repopulate the landscape with native trees and plantings. Strategic variations in topography promote natural stormwater management, with minimal maintenance required.

Sustainability and environmental education themes are integrated throughout the landscape to encourage student interaction. The design incorporates campus and regional design influences to repopulate the landscape with native trees and plantings. Strategic variations in topography promote natural stormwater management, with minimal maintenance required. Together, these features create an aesthetically pleasing, environmentally sustainable Southwest that embodies the Pioneer Valley.

The project received an Award of Excellence for Design by the Boston Society of Landscape Architects in 2012, and an Honor Award of Excellence by the Society for College University Planning in 2014.

HOW IT WORKS

Existing site topography was modified to create a series of sloped, linear channels called bioswales. Bioswales collect, cleanse, and infiltrate stormwater naturally onsite, as opposed to conventional underground sewer systems. The sides and bottom of the bioswales are lined with native vegetation, soil, and rock to filter stormwater and remove harmful pollutants from surface runoff.

After treatment, stormwater is diverted to large basins, which discharge runoff into sewers and waterways. Basins are interspersed throughout the concourse, and also function as congregation areas for students. This stormwater strategy provides ideal growing conditions for trees, gardens, and other plants in the landscape.

Completed: Fall 2011
Designer / Landscape Architect: Stephen Stimson Associates
Collaborators: Kleinfelder and Pine & Swallow Associates
UMass Project Manager: Bruce Thomas
UMass Project Planner: Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham

Project Scope

• Sustainably-harvested IPE hardwood decking
• Bioswale design utilizes salvaged granite and recycled stone
• Old concourse – 30% pervious landscape surface, 70% impervious hardscape
• New concourse – 60% pervious landscape surface, 40% impervious hardscape
• Stormwater management plan incorporates rainwater infiltration and porous pavers to reduce offsite discharge
• Runnel water diversion channels, vegetated bioswales, rain gardens, tree box filters, and engineered soils aid in stormwater transport and infiltration, improving site drainage
• Planting strategy utilizes a diverse palette of native plant, shrub, and grass species
• Site infrastructure and utility upgrades provide increased energy efficiency throughout the entire concourse
• Fosters student appreciation for nature within an urban environment
• Energy-efficient concourse lighting design

RESOURCES

Green Building Brochure

Click here to access an interactive green building brochure for the Southwest Concourse Renovation.

All images by Charles Mayer Photography, courtesy of Stephen Stimson Associates. 

Media

Articles

New Project Hopes to Turn Southwest from Concrete Jungle to Urban Oasis
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian - 1/29/2010

University of Massachusetts Southwest Concourse
Stephen Stimson Associates - n.d.

Southwest Concourse UMass
Studio 2112 Landscape Architecture - n.d.