Klavon Design » Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University – Warner Hall thumbnail

Carnegie Mellon University – Warner Hall

Warner Hall is the main administration building on Carnegie Mellon University’s campus. The condition of the plaza progressively fell apart over the years and no longer presented the best face of the University. The crumbling concrete plaza allowed water to seep into the offices below. In order to repair the roof below the plaza, the project required complete removal of the existing hardscape and landscape.

The design intent was to create “different outdoor rooms” to respond to the sun, shade and pedestrian use of the plaza. The front area of the plaza is heavily travelled and used. This area contains the most hardscape, includes the most benches, and aesthetically ties to the buildings architecture. The remaining areas are softer, greener spaces, with more than double the landscape to hardscape. The new landscape provides year round color and interest, minimizes the amount of heat absorbed by the plaza, and uses the planting beds for bio-retention. Contemporary lighting strategies provide interest at night.