Sustainable landscape master plan for Minnesota college campus

About this project

client
Macalester College
location
Minnesota
cost
$44,000 (Barr's fees)
completion date
2012

Macalester College set a goal to generate zero waste by 2020 and become carbon neutral by 2025. The college hired Barr to create a sustainable landscape master plan to help it achieve these goals. Working with school administrators and with input from students and faculty, Barr created a plan that:

  • guides and informs decision-making about the campus grounds to allow for carbon sequestration, reduce urban heat island effect, and provide outdoor spaces for student use

  • develops a landscape that is attractive, is ecologically sound, does not increase maintenance, and allows for multiple uses

  • addresses stormwater management, plant diversity, soil improvement, and energy efficiency

Large areas of turf were converted to low-maintenance plantings to shade buildings, provide wildlife habitat, clean stormwater, and build soil. Pervious pavement and rain gardens increase runoff-water quality and reuse water for irrigation purposes. The campus plan is currently being implemented and serves as a demonstration of sustainable landscape design principles.

Key team members

Fred Rozumalski

Landscape Architect and Ecologist

Brendan Dougherty

Senior Landscape Architect

Matt Metzger

Senior Civil Engineer

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