BSLA Fieldbook Archive | Page 117

Stoss Landscape Urbanism
The Plaza at Harvard Cambridge , Massachusetts
The Plaza at Harvard University is a new gathering space at the heart of the university , serving students , faculty , staff , visitors , and the local community . A new kind of public infrastructure sitting atop the Cambridge Street Underpass , the plaza connects the historic Harvard Yard with the university Science Center and North Campus . Replacing an underutilized , but overused derelict field , the new space offers a high-performance surface , accommodating structure , utilities , water , and heat management in an articulated ground plane that responds to storm water drainage system and local circulation flows . The plaza is a hub of campus life , drawing students to large and small events of all kinds , including a farmers ’ market , food trucks , impromptu performances , and alumni gatherings . Seventeen benches in seven distinct designs encourage casual gathering for students and the local community , and groves of sumac and gingko inventively integrate sustainable stormwater management and provide a quiet refuge .

HONOR AWARD

College and University Design photo | Charles Mayer photo | Charles Mayer

/ BSLA

Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook
115