An important aspect of the campus tour for visitors and prospective students is informally called The Million $ Walk. Preserving campus character must be a priority so that the original site plan and landscape framework remain intact. The analysis looks at the direction for identifying improvements in the areas of campus location and landscape.
Transitions from edge parking lots to the pedestrian core of the campus are abrupt and should be more welcoming. The intent of this report and its guidelines is to respect the original 1960s campus design as a distinct period of mid-century architectural history. New buildings such as Purvine Hall and additions to the Campus Union feature a greater variety of materials and design, while being largely compatible with the original architecture and site plan intent.
Some of the footpaths are now cracked, in poor condition and in need of replacement. The overall landscape master plan for the Oregon Institute of Technology addresses many more aspects of the site and campus than plant design. A new sloping walkway could extend from the southeast corner of the Campus Union down to the Learning Resources Center.
Two smaller ramps constructed on the lower level of the Fountain Quad could achieve barrier-free access from the quad to the rest of the campus.
Landscape Master Plan - Focus Areas
The lower grade of the quad in relation to the spaces around it can have more fluid transitions between terraces and can be seen from above if physical and visual barriers are removed. Barrier-free access in the campus core can be achieved diagonally across the hillside above Fountain Quad. The ramps could be located at the northeast and southeast corners of Owens Hall on the pair of east-west walkways.
At the southeast corner of the building, the path could be widened to accommodate increased amounts of pedestrian traffic. New benches can be added next to more paths to enjoy this comfortable space. As an open space on campus, Cornett Green is the most open, sunny, flexible lawn and secondary gathering place.
To allow the spaces to flow better and improve accessibility, a pair of new, less than 5% sloped walkways along the north side of Semon Hall could be blended into the building's plinth and replace the shorter ramps of awkward. At the northeast corner of Cornett Green, there is a significant stopping point along the Million Dollar Walk at the intersection of the north-south and east-west pedestrian corridors. A new walkway running diagonally across the green would connect another barrier-free path to Semon Hall.
Removing a flowering plum tree and adding several more sweetgum trees to match the existing ones would complete the tree planting along the north side of Cornett Green. A new lookout point on campus could provide sweeping views of Klamatic Lake and the Cascade Mountains to the west. The space could be part of the Million $ Walk and visitors, teachers and students alike can enjoy it.
The Lake View Corridor already exists sandwiched between Semon and Boivin Halls, extending west from Snell Hall. Young straight canopy trees can be planted along the building edges of Semon and Boivin Halls. These trees can replace those that must be removed from the center of the space in order to open up a view of the lake from outside Snell Hall and from the main visitor exit.
Landscape Master Plan - Circulation
The information booth and campus map must be moved at the first left onto Campus Drive. These entries should be signed and formatted in a way that enhances the sense of welcome on campus. Build an inviting crosswalk for pedestrians and a flashing traffic light at the main campus entrance at Dan Obrien Way and Campus Drive.
Shade trees should be added to increase the sense of arrival and welcome, and to create a transition from parking lots. At the Cornett/Purvine entrance, this large east/west pedestrian corridor deserves special attention as both an entrance and an end from within the campus. At the northeast entrance of Cornett Hall, add standard campus entrance signage and replace furnishings with campus standards.
At the northwest corner of the Learning Resource Center entrance, remove these two parking spaces and extend a pedestrian walkway to the lot. At the entrance east of Purvine Hall, add plantings and shade trees along the walkway. Open building entrances by removing concrete walls that flank the entrance and creating a tunnel effect at the Learning Resources Center and Gymnasium.
Open up the south entrance of the Learning Resources Center to be more inviting by removing concrete walls flanking the walkway. Place a campus-standard information board in the foyer of the building entrances to avoid the need for notices taped to the glass. A more distinctive, memorable, "signature" landscape should be developed south of Boivin Hall and extended past the new Health Professionals Building to Snell Hall.
Therefore, the kiosk and campus map should be moved to the southwest corner of the parking lot near the approach to Snell Hall. An observation deck and viewing corridor west of Klamath Lake should be established from the entry area outside Snell Hall. The lake view corridor flanked by Boivin and Semon Halls needs to be cleared of trees blocking the view of the lake from Snell Hall.
A view over the lake and a gathering place should be developed above the soccer field between the Boivin and Semon halls. Shrub protection must be high enough to visually break up the expanses of hardscape from the perimeter and between parking rows.
Landscape Master Plan - Open Space
Landscape Master Plan - Vegetation
Preservation of existing trees should be prioritized so that the campus framework is preserved over time. In keeping with the original intent and concept of the campus, linear single-species tree plantings should be extended along the footpaths. Likewise, in keeping with the original campus concept, ground cover as a replacement for juniper on the slopes or ground plantings should be simple geometric masses rather than fussy collections of many plant types.
However, there can be a variety of ground covers so that the overall diversity of the plant collection on campus is increased. Aspect and degree of slope, shadows cast by buildings, drainage, duration of establishment, presence of existing trees and maintenance should be considered when making new plant choices for juniper replacement. Plantings of ornamental roses should be limited to certain areas, otherwise roses should be replaced with low shrubs that provide an improved visual appearance during the school year and especially winter structure.
There are new varieties of low-maintenance roses and native roses that can be used as a ground cover in certain areas of campus. On the Semon Hall/Owens Hall service road, replace juniper slopes with low shrubs and ground covers. At the existing Bivaške dom, replace juniper banks with terraced low shrubs and ground.
This site west of the University Advancement Building will be used for future student housing. Add a crosswalk extending to Campus Drive at the new pedestrian entrance west of Boivin Hall. On the slopes north and east of the gymnasium, we are planting new low shrubs and ground covers that will replace the decaying juniper plantings.
Landscape Master Plan - Sustainability Framework
Deciduous trees on the west side of Purvine Hall shade the building from the afternoon sun during the warm season months. Planting additional trees in car parks will reduce the heat island effect and improve the visual character of car parks. Sanded pavers are commonly used at ski resorts as they can be plowed and/or heated to melt snow.
Landscape Master Plan - Site Furnishings
Housing/Mount: Heavy duty one-piece die-cast aluminum optical housing with integral die-cast transition "mount" that fits a 3" OD. The housing elegantly accommodates 180° angled 2-diameter stainless steel struts as well as a diffuser retaining ring die-cast aluminum Optics: 3⁄4" thick, machined toughened crystal clear optical glass with a high-temperature molded silicone rubber seal surrounds a precision spot-distribution reflector made of pure aluminum.
The glass retaining ring is secured by two (2) concealed stainless steel hex head screws. Provides less than 2% illuminance in horizontal position, which meets LEED cutoff criteria for LZ2, LZ3, and LZ4 lighting zones. The disc is secured by two (2) fixed die cast aluminum "saddles" which receive two (2) stainless steel support strips.
A 21" twisted aluminum parabolic dome section is press fit in the center of the reflective disc. Electrical: Lamp holder is a single point porcelain G12, two pin with nickel plated contacts provided with 180°C high temperature leads, rated 600V, pulse rated 5KV. Ballast is magnetic HPF, located in the base of the selected BEGA post and is available in 120V or 277V, HPF - specify.
Model: custom, can be simplified and modified for placement Color: stainless steel or silver powder coating and glass.
Appendix - Site Analysis
Appendix - Existing Use Zones Framework
Appendix - Plant Images
SHADE TREES
HARDY SHRUBS
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, GROUND COVERS AND PERENNIAL
Appendix - Recommended Plant List
Rosa 'Flower Carpet' var.* Flower Carpet rose summer flowers, fall color, winter berries 2’x5' Juniper replacement s e v it a n h ti w s d n e l b.
