Miami University in Oxford, Ohio is developing a new, $4 million academic quadrangle. This 1.75 acre open space is an intensive “green roof” on top of a new 400-car underground parking facility. The goal of the public space is to develop a new campus quadrangle framed by the just-constructed SEAS Building to the south and the psychology building to the east, while seamlessly blending the parking into the north campus core. Special features of the plan include double rows of trees framing entry walkways and outdoor classrooms for the psychology building. With the “porch” of the engineering building at 8’ above the Quad’s southern edge, a stepped approach is used to frame views of the distant rolling hills. University Plaza is adjacent to the Quad and functions as the primary gateway to the expanding North Academic Campus. Inspired by the dissimilar geometries of the adjacent buildings, the plaza exhibits the results of dynamic design solutions.
