The San Diego Mesa College Quadrangle Planning Process
CAMPUS QUAD PLANNING FALL 2011
In the fall of 2011, more than 300 surveys were received from students, faculty and staff on what was desired for the new quadrangle at San Diego Mesa College. Your input on programming enabled the Offices of James Burnett to arrange the program elements that will make up the new quadrangle! Three concepts (below, with picture links at right) were presented at campus-wide workshops on October 19 and 20. Nearly 100 people attended these workshops to review three concepts created by the Office of James Burnett.
Dispays in the LRC Lobby enabled the campus community to review full-size boards with diagrams that explain each option/concept in greater detail.
PROGRAM OPTION #1
Programming option 1 creates a series of formally organized public spaces that begin at the proposed Center for Business and Technology and Cafeteria/Bookstore buildings and extend into the quadrangle. One Pedestrian promenade sweeps through the site, bringing students from the parking structure into the campus core, while another brings students from the north parking lot directly into the quadrangle. The central green is organized around groves of shade trees and its axis extends from the cafeteria to a performance pavilion. Bioswales and transplanted specimen trees provide a strong contrast to the formal character of the adjacent green. Small plazas and courtyards are located a key intersections to create additional space for student activities.
PROGRAM OPTION #2
Programming option 2 organizes the quadrangle around the space shared by the Center for Business and Technology and the Cafeteria/Bookstore. The central green embraces one corner of the main plaza and extends north to a performance pavilion near Social and Behavioral Sciences. Plazas, private seating areas and a freestanding food service building are arranged loosely around the perimeter of the green. Pedestrian promenades link major open spaces and spaces adjacent to buildings provide additional opportunities for gathering. Bioswales with transplanted specimen trees buffer the activities at the San Diego MET from the adjacent campus.
PROGRAM OPTION #3
Programming option 3 organizes a large public plaza along the faces of the proposed Center for Business and Technology and Cafeteria/Bookstore buildings. Inspired by the geological character of Tecolote Canyon, the central green extends north from the main cafeteria space and is surrounded by bioswales densely planted with trees. A performance pavilion and freestanding food service building create an additional hub of activity on the far side of the quadrangle. Pedestrian promenades connect major campus destinations and feature a variety of spaces for student activity at regular intervals. Open lawn along the northern edge of the quadrangle creates additional recreational space to be utilized by both Mesa College and San Diego MET students.