To emphasize its role as a steward of the land, the College of Saint Benedict hired Barr to use an ecological approach to develop a landscape master plan. Through the process of creating the master plan, the college and Barr:
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examined the function and effectiveness of the existing landscape to identify attributes and inadequacies
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explored ecological and cultural opportunities, possible landscape design themes, and a unifying aesthetic for the campus
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laid out a detailed master plan that includes casual and recreational space creation, efficient pedestrian and vehicle circulation, plantings that hold up under changing climates, ecological use of stormwater for irrigation, and an appropriate reduction of paved surfaces
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created a landscape management and implementation strategy
Compared to traditional landscapes, this approach reduces the use of gasoline, irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides; the time spent on consumptive management practices that waste natural resources; and maintenance costs, all while bringing the campus to an ecological harmony and fulfilling the core aspects of Benedictine values.
The resulting master plan establishes a beautiful and comfortable place to study, live, and work as well as a landscape better able to adapt to extreme climate conditions.