Master Plan October 2011 - Pacific Lutheran University

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
LANDSCAPE & OPEN SPACE
Both structured and unstructured open spaces exist on campus and include everything that is
not a building, road or parking, including pervious and impervious surfaces within the campus
boundaries. The structure of the open space is first defined by the faces of buildings and
further enhanced by mass plantings of vegetation, creating a series of “outdoor rooms” that are
characterized by the textures of materials, filtration of light and permeability of access and use.
The forested slope running through the center of campus is a significant landform in the
Parkland community and subdivides the campus into upper and lower sub-campuses.
Historically, academic and residential buildings were located on the upper campus, forming
quad-like open spaces interspersed with forest-like plantings of evergreen and deciduous trees.
Athletic fields and facilities were located on the lower campus and have subsequently been
surrounded by additional residence halls and academic buildings. The original grouping of the
athletic fields resulted in the lower campus being expansive and open, devoid of mature trees, in
sharp contrast to the upper campus.
November 2011
56 Pacific Lutheran University MIMP