The 'Corner' Quad

For this brief we were tasked with redesigning an area on our university campus (Francis Close Hall - Cheltenham). We were asked to pick a designer of our choice and produce a design for this area inspired by the design process and work of said designer. The 'Library Quad' as it is known currently is pictured below.

This area is a big cross section between various different buildings, so it is important that this space is very functional and that people are able to walk in the various directions needed as there are access points on all four sides of this court. 

The designer I chose to look at is James Corner. I chose him as I am very inspired by his design of the Philadelphia Navy yards, pictured below.

I was very inspired by this design as I have never seen anything similar to it before. When looking further at the intentions behind Corner's work I read articles where he stated that he strives for ' intimate immensity' meaning ' trees embrace one on all sides, but whose edges cannot be grasped'. This concept fascinates me: the idea that nature is all around but space enough that you are not able to touch it from where you stand. This allows breathing space while also allowing a sense of security and a feeling of being grounded as one is not entirely exposed. This is something I really want to replicate in my own design of the quad space. 

Above is a photoshop rendering of my final design.

Above is a photoshop rendering of a cross section of my design.

My design for this space features a large wildflower meadow in the centre of the quad. I chose this as I feel this central area is where peoples eyes are immediately drawn, so having wildflowers here will create a visual break in the landscape and also make it more inviting. Carved out in the centre of this wildflower meadow is a sofa seating area. This a more private relaxation area where students can relax away from the business of the walkways within the quad.

Around the outside there are many seating options. In the top left of the quad are benches for people to sit and eat lunch/ do work. This is also where the raised vegetable beds are so that students can take produce from these beds to eat within their break. There are also raised beds In the bottom right of the Quad. These are not surrounded by seating. Along the bottom I have placed some trees to act as a screen to the busy road outside of this side of the Quad. Within these trees will also be swings, so that students can play on them during break periods.