Building from an existing campus framework plan, KMDG is transforming the primary campus cores which have, in the past two decades, become overrun with cars rendering the campus out of sync with its agricultural hilltop setting. Set as a top priority by the school’s President, the team is using long-needed subsurface utility work as the impetus to transform the surfaces of these campus roads into pedestrian-scaled spaces that invite gathering and interaction by students, faculty and staff. The upgrades also provide the opportunity to bring the buildings up to code by redesigning the entrances to remove stairs and increase accessibility on campus. Pressured by the scholastic schedule, design and construction processes are happening on very efficient and tight time lines that require design and detailing strategy. Runnals Walk was completed in the summer of 2019.

One of the main goals of the projects was to improve the campus experience. The student-run Mary Low Coffee House is an important campus gathering spot and the new project enables outdoor seating for the first time. This design not only increases the café’s capacity but encourages students to enjoy the beautiful fall and spring weather and re-claim a space that had been overtaken by cars.