Q and A: Sarah Richardson
Campus Planning Studio Leader
Q. How do projects in this category differ from others, such as transportation or urban design?
"Universities and colleges have a unique culture. Typically, there is no single client; virtually all projects involve a wide range of participants, often with seemingly contradictory needs and goals. Most work is done by committee and there has been a trend of ever increasing involvement of the campus community. The capital budgeting process can greatly impact the design and construction process, especially with public institutions."
Q. What factors are influencing campus design today?
"Possibly the most significant is the shift in student expectations. Students today are accustomed to private rooms, private baths, convenient parking for their automobile, a range of choices for dining and recreational activities and many other amenities that were considered luxuries at one point. They may base their choice of a school on these “soft” amenities as much as on the academic offerings of the institution.
Campus Planning Studio Leader
Q. How do projects in this category differ from others, such as transportation or urban design?
"Universities and colleges have a unique culture. Typically, there is no single client; virtually all projects involve a wide range of participants, often with seemingly contradictory needs and goals. Most work is done by committee and there has been a trend of ever increasing involvement of the campus community. The capital budgeting process can greatly impact the design and construction process, especially with public institutions."
Q. What factors are influencing campus design today?
"Possibly the most significant is the shift in student expectations. Students today are accustomed to private rooms, private baths, convenient parking for their automobile, a range of choices for dining and recreational activities and many other amenities that were considered luxuries at one point. They may base their choice of a school on these “soft” amenities as much as on the academic offerings of the institution.
There’s also been a shift to a 24/7 culture. It used to be that academic and student life facilities were mostly closed at night. Now classes are booked very late in the evening and students want the ability to study all night. And there is increased competition for students, staff, and funding. Previously, there weren’t that many choices. A student picked a college based on some clear differences: expensive private colleges, state universities, or technical or community colleges. That’s all been blurred. For example, Kent State University, The Ohio State University, and Ohio University all have several branch campuses. Those branch campuses now directly compete with Columbus State Community College and Shawnee State University for students. The cost of a public education has increased greatly in recent years; some feel it’s not that much more expensive to send a student to Ohio Wesleyan or Dennison than it is, perhaps, to OSU. It’s a much more competitive environment."
Q. Is the relationship changing between the university and its surrounding community?
"Yes, definitely. There’s a much stronger partnership between most higher-education institutions and the community in which they’re located. The institution often may have a mission of economic development in its local community: to enhance the community, to enhance the neighborhoods where students or faculty may be living. It’s a very symbiotic relationship now."
"Yes, definitely. There’s a much stronger partnership between most higher-education institutions and the community in which they’re located. The institution often may have a mission of economic development in its local community: to enhance the community, to enhance the neighborhoods where students or faculty may be living. It’s a very symbiotic relationship now."
Q. How does KKG respond to these new realities?
"When we work on a campus, we understand not just the overall campus, but its community as well. That partnership is important. Colleges don’t do things alone any more. We really try to think about campus-wide systems, such as pedestrian circulation, parking and student life. We understand the different systems and how they work. That doesn’t mean we do a campus master plan for every design project. But we’re cognizant of those things. We ask those kinds of questions and spend time thinking about how this is part of an organic whole. It’s never just a standalone project."
Q. What other design trends do you see within the campus setting?
"Higher education is at the forefront of demanding sustainable design and LEED certification for facilities. We see this as a very positive trend, and we know how to meet these changing requirements. Universities and Colleges are training the leaders of tomorrow. It is important that these future leaders understand the opportunities and threats that face our world, and some possible solutions."
Q. Why does campus planning and design matter?
We search for the best use of university property. If a campus has a key piece of empty space, a new building or site feature can create opportunities -- or it can preclude future development. We try to create future opportunities.
We strive to be an advocate for the overall campus and the needs of the campus community. We try to make sure we’re very broad in our perspective. How will our work influence public transportation, or the pedestrian system? What about the image of the campus? How does the physical campus manifest the unique culture of that institution? When I say “advocate,” I mean that we try never to forget those things. We try to be the voice that says, “Don’t forget. Let’s not lose sight of this.”