Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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UOR
PLANNING PROCESS 07
PLANNING IDEAS 49
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 87
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Letter from the President
Dear Friends,
The 2011 Campus Master Plan provides an ambitious framework for the development of the University’s
physical campus in the coming decade.
Our physical campus is, of course, one of our most unique and valuable assets. This plan ensures we are
responsible stewards of what has been cultivated with great care since we moved to this location in 1914.
In keeping with the priorities established in our strategic plan, The Richmond Promise, the plan also imagines
what will better support continued academic innovation and integration, excellence in the student
experience, and deeper connections with the larger community of which we are part.
This plan builds on a strong foundation. There is widespread appreciation for the beauty of our campus
and quality of our facilities. We very nearly have the ideal amount of space to support our people and
programs, according to objective national benchmarks. The plan will sustain these strengths.
The plan balances new development with preservation of abundant green space that is a hallmark of
our beautiful campus. Development envisioned in the plan will be undertaken in ways consistent with the
University’s commitment to sustainability.
The formulation of this plan has been a highly inclusive process to ensure that the plan reflects our best
collective thinking and shared vision. I am grateful for the leadership of the Campus Master Plan
Committee and to the hundreds of faculty, staff, students, alumni, neighbors, Trustees, and Trustees
Emeriti who participated in this process. I look forward to our continued work together to realize the
aspirations of the plan.
Best wishes,
Edward L. Ayers
President
w a s c o mmitted to engagin g as m a n y f a c u lt y, s t a ff , s t u de n t s , a lu m n i,
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Planning Process
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CAMPUS STUDIES
PRELIMINARY PLAN
FINAL PLAN
www.masterplan.richmond.edu
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Research and Analysis
T he p la n n ing process began wit h a n in t e n s e ph a s e of Re s e a rc h a n d
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Research and Analysis
PLANNING HISTORY
Founded in 1830, the University of The University worked with Perkins + Will in
Richmond has been in its present location 1977 to complete a campus master plan.
since 1914. Located west of downtown The most recent plan was completed by
Richmond, the campus is distinguished by Perkins + Will and SMBW Architects in 2000.
rolling topography typical of the Virginia Many of the projects suggested in the 2000
Piedmont. Westhampton Lake lies at its plan have been realized.
center and the consistency of Collegiate
As the result of successful implementation
Gothic architecture is evident throughout.
over the past 10 years, the University
The decision to move what was then recognized that a new planning initiative
Richmond College to the City’s West End was required.
came in 1910. As part of the preparation to
move, the Boston architect Ralph Adams
Cram was hired to design the first seven
buildings, and landscape architect Charles
Gillette was selected to design the campus
grounds. Warren Manning, a landscape
architect and protégé of Frederick Law
Olmsted, also had a hand in the original design
of the campus landscape. Their combined
efforts set the style of the campus that still
holds fast almost 100 years later – high-quality
Collegiate Gothic architecture in a landscape
setting dominated by large canopy and pine
trees, turf, and brick-paved sidewalks.
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Perkins and Will Many of the projects suggested in the 2000 plan
University of Richmond - 25 year vision, 2000 have been realized:
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Building Age
The pace of development on the campus Campus growth continued apace, due in
indicates much about the institution’s history. part to a transformative gift of $50 million
In the early years, the pattern of two from E. Claiborne Robins in 1969. Over the
institutions developed simultaneously on next 20 years, the University built the Robins
either side of Westhampton Lake. Like many Center, Tyler Haynes Commons, Gottwald
other American campuses, the University of Center for the Sciences, Lora Robins Court,
Richmond experienced significant growth and expanded Boatwright Memorial Library.
during the post-World-War-II era, adding Today the campus comprises about 2.5
three residence halls and Boatwright Memorial million gross square feet of building space.
Library, as well as early phases of the School
of Law and the building known today as
Weinstein Hall.
Cram, Goodhue, and Ferguson Architects plan for Richmond College; Westhampton Lake (at center,)
Westhampton College (left) and Richmond College (right.)
New Buildings
Existing Buildings
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Building Age
New Buildings
Existing Buildings
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NATURAL SYSTEMS
Regional Locations
Campus Topography
Low
Westhampton Lake
Neighborhood Context
The University of Richmond is located in the The University owns a number of single-family
West End of Richmond, Virginia, a largely houses north of Campus Drive and also west of
residential area of the city. Most of the campus College Road; these properties act as a buffer
is within the city limits and subject to Richmond between the University and some of
regulations. A limited amount of acreage is its closest residential neighbors. River Road
located in Henrico County and governed by runs along the southern edge of the campus.
county regulations. The campus is bordered by A number of retail destinations while close to
well-established, single-family neighborhoods, the campus—the Village, River Road Center,
while the southeastern edge of the campus Tuckahoe Shopping Center—are difficult
abuts the Country Club of Virginia golf course. to reach on foot.
College Hills
The Village
Westham
Bandy Field
Tuckahoe
Westhampton
River Road
Wilton
Public Street
Campus Threshold
Sense of Arrival
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Building and Land Use
Academic
Residential
Athletics and Recreation
Student Support
Administrative
Campus Support
Natural Areas
29
TRANSPORTATION
Quarter Mile or
5-Minute Walk
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Vehicular Circulation Pedestrian-Vehicular Conflicts
35
Parking
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Current Transportation Demand Management
(TDM) Programs
The University of Richmond has implemented reduce the need for students to bring their cars
several programs to help reduce the number of to campus and facilitate trips between points
single-occupied commuter vehicles travelling to on campus or short distances from campus.
campus, reduce the need for students to bring
The general approach of a TDM program
their vehicles to campus, and support campus
is to incentivize people to use alternative
sustainability efforts by reducing greenhouse
transportation when traveling to campus,
gas emissions. The University has two Zipcars
within campus, and short distances from
on campus during the academic year (one
campus. These programs vary in cost and
during the summer) that students and staff/
the length of time they take to implement.
faculty subscribed to the program can use for
travel by the hour. Participation in the Zimride Ridefinders is a division of the GRTC that
program facilitates ride-matching for commuter matches commuters for car and vanpools.
carpools and occasional long-distance trips. The University of Richmond currently has
The University provides preferential parking for a relationship with Ridefinders and should
carpools and hybrid vehicles. leverage this relationship further. Ridefinders
offers a guaranteed ride home service for
Through a private partnership, the University
registrants by providing the participant with
of Richmond offers several shuttles connecting
four free taxi vouchers per year. Ridefinders
the campus to downtown, local shopping
also provides employer support services such
areas (Village Shopping Center, Short Pump
as employee commute surveys, transportation
Town Center, and Regency Square Mall), a
fairs, and marketing materials.
number of community service sites, and access
to the GRTC bus system. Additionally, all Most successful TDM programs have a full time
faculty, staff, and students are eligible for full transportation coordinator whose sole purpose
subsidized unlimited ride transit passes for is to manage and promote the TDM programs
GRTC bus services. offered by the University. The role of the
transportation coordinator is to facilitate the
Potential TDM Programs distribution of incentives, develop and manage
A comprehensive TDM plan for the University marketing and communication materials, and
of Richmond could include programs that manage relationships with transportation
target two campus populations, commuters vendors (e.g. Zipcar, Zimride, Ridefinders).
and residential students. While some of the Initially, a part-time transportation coordinator
transportation needs for these groups overlap, could be employed to facilitate implementation
they generally require different types of of the simplest TDM programs and to help
programs to satisfy their needs. Commuter the University advance to the next phase of
TDM programs provide incentives and/or implementation.
alternatives for commuters to use means other Most universities charge fees for on-campus
than single-occupied vehicles when traveling to parking. Increases in parking fees allow an
campus. TDM programs targeted at students institution to raise additional revenue to
cover the costs of operating and maintaining
campus parking areas and as a disincentive instead of a free parking space on campus.
to park vehicles on campus. The University Employees that participate are ineligible for
of Richmond currently does not charge an individual on-campus parking permit and
for faculty and staff parking permits, and instead rely on an alternative transportation
introducing parking fees is likely to be met mode such as carpool, transit, or a bicycle.
with resistance. However, the introduction
While a parking cash-out program does
of parking fees for staff and faculty (and
not generate revenue, it does free up other
increasing parking fees for students) is one of
resources by reducing parking demand on
the best means to decrease parking demand,
campus:
decrease single-occupancy mode share for
commuters, and raise revenue to pay for TDM •D
ecreases and delays the need to build
programs. parking lots or structures
reduces the parking demand on campus. This • A llows land to be repurposed for other
benefit provides commuting employees an valuable university functions.
option to accept taxable cash income
39
Impervious Surface
Impervious Surface
Field
• Inclusion/Accessibility
• Third Place
• Student Life
• Sustainability
• Culture of Excelllence
Inclusion/Accessibility
43
Sustainability
Solar South
Winter Sun
Summer Sun
Prevailing Wind
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CONCLUSION
The University of Richmond provides The campus master plan must address how
a collaborative learning and research facilities and grounds can keep pace with the
environment unlike any other in higher complex demands of academics, research, and
education, offering students an extraordinary student experience, and establish flexibility to
combination of the liberal arts with law, accommodate future opportunities as follows:
business, leadership studies, and
continuing education. •S
ometimes described as “a garden in a
forest,” the iconic beauty of the campus
It is characterized by a distinctly integrated can be further enriched by clarifying
student experience—a rich and innovative life campus entry, arrival, and circulation.
for students inside and outside the classroom—
and a welcoming spirit that prizes diversity •E
nhancing the student experience—more
of experience and thought. It is rooted in Third Places, renewal and replacement
a determination to engage as a meaningful of housing, additional outdoor recreation
part of our community and our world. It is facilities and enhanced space for academic
committed to ensuring its opportunities work and collaboration—supports growing
are accessible to talented students of diversity of student needs.
many backgrounds.
•E
xisting development in the south campus
does not reflect the high standard of
quality that distinguishes the University
of Richmond and the campus, though
students value the housing opportunities
offered there.
47
Planning Ideas
B a se d on th e resu lts of Resea rc h a n d A n a ly s is of t h e c a m pu s , t h e project
49
Planning Ideas
CIRCULATION
• South Court
• Booker Hall
The proposed campus circulation
• R yland Hall in the R-10 Lot prioritizes pedestrian movement and the
•A
t the northwest corner of Boatwright beauty of the campus, while allowing for
Memorial Library flexible management of traffic and ongoing
coordination with transit services.
Practical improvements that favor pedestrians could be implemented to create a high-quality walking experience
every day, while maintaining as-needed access for service and infrequent high-demand events, like move-in day.
Other examples can be seen in the Forum, and the Richmond Way crossing at International Education.
53
Development Patterns and Opportunities
The existing uses in the south campus Ideas for the organization of development
include University Forest Apartments, of the south campus were explored at the
which houses 642 students; recreation conceptual level. Factors used to evaluate
fields; the School of Professional and these ideas included:
Continuing Studies; and University Facilities.
Each of these uses will continue to be • B alance of buildings and open space
located in the south campus, but many will
•P
edestrian and automobile connectivity
be accommodated in alternative facilities.
with existing development on campus
Additionally, some new uses will be established
in the south campus, including an Admission/ •R
elationship to the Little Westham
Career Development center, enrollment Creek valley
management, administrative/support units,
community engagement programs, and new • U niversity presence on River Road.
connections to River Road. The University is
Ultimately, a combination of the Linear
committed to redeveloping the south campus
Quadrangles and Ecological Corridor options
as sustainably as possible, by balancing
were selected for refinement and inclusion in
the proportion of buildings and open space;
the campus master plan.
respecting the Resource Protection and
Management Areas; working with existing
topography; and responding to the local
climate.
Redevelopment Sites
Continued Regeneration of Natural Landscape Clarify Automobile Circulation
Relocate / Minimize Cars Enhance Pedestrian Circulation
Cultivate Vibrant Open Space Recreational Connection
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Campus Master Plan - Moving Forward
A I mprovements to the Little Westham Creek H New residence halls maintain capacity in the
valley, including a new pedestrian trail and creek south campus, while providing greater variety of
crossing, will create a continuous path around
apartment types and more single bedrooms for
Westhampton Lake and along the creek that
upper-class students.
connects the Lake to River Road and serves as an
educational, research, and recreational amenity. I South campus amenity center provides
B A
tower or architectural feature marks the additional space for study, student gatherings,
southern entrance to campus; this landmark is and services.
visible from River Road.
J A new academic, residential, or administrative
C U R Drive is realigned as the priority north-south building could meet a variety of different needs,
route through campus. Modifications make depending on program demands.
curves gentler and give right-of-way to the route
at intersections with Spider Lane, Westhampton K Parking structure consolidates surface parking to
Way, and Gateway Drive. accommodate need in the
south campus and incorporates potential
D High-quality pedestrian walkway establishes a for additional program space.
clear and easy route for residents of the south
campus to access other parts of campus and L New Admission/Career Development Center
connects the Forum to River Road. Crosswalks provides program space to greet arriving visitors
on UR Drive are raised to emphasize pedestrian and prospective students.
right-of-way, like the Richmond Way crosswalk
at Carole Weinstein International Center. A
light bridge or boardwalk allows pedestrians to
continue at grade while crossing the creek south
of UR Drive at Gottwald Center for the Sciences.
L D
J
K I G
B
E
C L andscape improvements in
Westhampton College accommodate
desired pedestrian movement.
A D
G
D
J
A
C
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Potential Development Capacity
South Campus Map Letter Capacity per floor Floors Total Capacity Notes
Westhampton College Map Letter Capacity per floor Floors Total Capacity
Richmond College Map Letter Capacity per floor Floors Total Capacity
69
CAMPUS WIDE IMPACT
Circulation
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Open Space
Natural Areas
Formal Open Spaces
Plaza
Fields and Courts
Pedestrian Axis
Proposed Pedestrian Axis
Traditional
Suite
Apartment
Study Space
Meeting Rooms
Lounge
Computer Stations
Cafe
Sit-Down Dining
Athletics and Recreation
Outdoor Gathering Area
P. U
R Drive is realigned as the priority north-south route
A. W
esthampton Gate Precinct (roadway and parking); through campus; high-quality pedestrian walkway
improvements include new surface parking north of establishes a clear and easy route for residents of the
Westhampton Way and realignment of Keller Road to south campus to access the Forum and other parts of
create building site. campus.
G. R
econfigured playing fields north of River Road meet Y. Boatwright Memorial Library renovation.
recreation program needs
Z. Robins Center renovation.
H. C
ampus-wide wayfinding improvements make it easier
Not shown: University Forest Apartments blocks 200, 900,
for visitors to reach desired destinations (not shown).
and 1500 – 1700 demolished.
I. N
ew residence hall expands residential experience in
Westhampton College.
Existing Building
Renovated Building
New Building
Z
V
B
C
W
Q
X
Y F
X
O
D
U N
A
I M
T
P
G E
J
K R
B. A
ddition to Boatwright Memorial Library creates an
entrance from Stern Quadrangle and incorporates
additional space for study, collaboration, and
technology-enhanced learning spaces and services.
E. A
mixed-use building houses administrative and/ or
academic functions, such as the School of Professional
and Continuing Studies. The facility strengthens
the University’s presence on River Road and also
incorporates parking spaces on two levels.
G. P
arking structure consolidates surface parking to
accommodate need in the north campus.
H. T
yler Haynes Commons renovation.
J. A
tlantic and Pacific Houses renovated for alternate use.
K. S
outh campus amenity center provides additional space
for study, student gatherings, and services.
L. M
odifications to Richmond Way add pedestrian bridge
over parking lots and remove on-street parking to
improve pedestrian safety and accessibility.
N. P
arking structure consolidates surface parking
to accommodate need in the south campus and
incorporates potential for additional program space.
P. L
andscape and streetscape improvements in
Westhampton College accommodate desired pedestrian
movement.
Q. E
asy access location off Boatwright Drive for possible
childcare facility.
R. N
ew cottages on Bostwick Lane provide housing options
for visiting scholars.
Existing Building
Renovated Building
New Building
J
Q
C
G
F
M R
L
M
S
B
I
T P H
K
N
Existing Building
Renovated Building
New Building
tr uste e s , an d alu mn i.
87
Acknowledgments
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
Andrew McBride
University Architect
Matthew W. McDermott
Class of 2011
James D. Miller
Director of Athletics
Kathryn J. Monday
Vice President for Information Services
Stephen Allred
Provost and Vice President for
Academic Affairs
Stephen D. Bisese
Vice President for Student Development
Hossein Sadid
Vice President for Business and Finance
89
CONTACT INFORMATION
Civil Engineering
Utilities Infrastructure
Landscape Architecture
Transportation Planning
91
1040 Hull Street, Suite 100 28 Westhampton Way
Baltimore, MD 21230 Richmond, VA 23173
410.347.8500 804.289.8000