Henn Architekten
In focusing on the historical relevance of the term campus, it can be established that a university primarily derives its identity from its green spaces, rather than its built forms. It is this public green space which provides the setting for some of the most important activities on a university campus, be it an informal study group, creative performance, sporting event or simply an afternoon nap. For this reason, an ideal campus is organized around its outdoor space. Beginning with the central lawn, the entire campus is populated with a variety of green spaces which decrease in scale and increase in privacy as they move towards the periphery. The green spaces mark the most public and social areas as well as the most private and contemplative. At the center of the site, a great lawn extends down a central axis from the north. Bound by the academic facilities clustered along either side, the lawn provides a central focus to the university; an orientation point from which all academic buildings are accessible. The lawn remains relatively untreated except for a few clusters of trees to provide areas of shade. In a way, the central lawn is a blank slate, constantly activated and transformed by the students and faculty who use it. This lawn is clearly defined by a ring of academic buildings lining the perimeter and providing additional facilities for academic and social exchange.
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