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Development Program
Campus Circulation
GRCC Campus Circulation Goals
All new development shall
incorporate goals associated with providing a hierarchy
of vehicle and pedestrian pathways as well as open
gathering spaces which clearly organize and ease
movement through campus to important building and
amenities. Travel along campus pathways shall celebrate
college identity, educational opportunities, and the
natural environment and habitat of the northwest.
Purpose
Circulation on campus is often
confusing and disorienting. This is a common comment
from first-time students and visitors. Circulation
pathways move pedestrians and vehicles and also provide
nodes for informal interaction and community engagement.
Well-designed circulation is an important element of
campus navigation and image. The internal pedestrian
network of GRCC shall consist of four distinct elements;
gateways, paths, nodes, and outdoor rooms; all of which
will reinforce the continuity of the campus and
unification of the campus aesthetic to reinforce its
identity and “sense of place”. It is particularly
important that the pedestrian network be unified to
establish identity due to the wide range of
architectural styles and building elements on the main
campus
Pedestrian Elements
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Gateways
Gateways are the entry points
and the beginning point of the pedestrian network.
Their function is to announce arrival and to orient
visitors to the campus and display GRCC mission and
values. Gateways shall be plaza spaces of varying
size, depending on their location and relative
importance. Because of their function as thresholds,
they should be generously scaled and well-defined.
Every effort will be made to include elements of
decorative paving, lighting, and orientation sign as
well as to incorporate elements of Highly Managed
Landscape. See also Campus Entry Signs, section 7.0
and Highly Managed Landscape, section 6.0.
- Pathways
Once students and visitors pass gateways, they then
proceed along the hierarchy of pedestrian paths to
their destinations. The paths are sidewalks bordered
with landscaping, and the character of each path is
dependant on the volume of people and the speed at
which they circulate. Paths shall connect the
gateways, nodes, and building entrances. Building
signs should be located at building main entrances
and be clearly visible from the paths.
Primary paths:
Primary pathways shall be located such that they
connect all major gateways to major building and
campus services. They should be a minimum of 20 feet
in width and be designed for use as fire lanes. When
possible, main building entries should be
immediately accessed from primary pathways. The
width should be increased at steps and obstructions.
Primary paths shall typically also include
directional signs, benches, bike racks and other
campus amenities. They will typically be
distinguished by decorative paving.
Secondary paths:
Secondary pathways shall link all other building and
services to primary pathways. They should be a
minimum of 10 feet wide to allow two pairs of
pedestrians to pass in opposite direction. This will
also allow students hurrying to class to pass those
who are strolling. Where possible, the width should
be increased at steps and obstructions and paths
should be covered by building overhangs to offer
protection from the weather.
Tertiary paths:
Tertiary pathways provide opportunities to explore
campus away from the usual hustle of activity. They
shall be minimal in width and may be constructed of
various pervious materials, when possible. Tertiary
pathways should link primary and secondary pathways
to small quiet activity nodes where the natural
habitat of the college can be celebrated.
New paths:
As the campus changes over time, paths will be added
or redeveloped. Although secondary paths currently
exist between student housing and the main campus
and between the southwest Lot I and the Science/Tech
Buildings, these paths are becoming insufficient for
their use. Activity is increasing in the Science and
Tech Buildings, and the path from Lot I will likely
need to be rerouted further from the SW driveway
intersection to assure pedestrian safety. The path’s
increased evening use will require that ample
lighting be added. Similarly, the path from student
housing will likely be rerouted as entry development
occurs, and lighting will need to be added.
Nodes
Within the pedestrian network, there will be
intersections. These nodes become places of activity,
greeting, and chance conversation. As such, they are
typically wider than the paths to allow people to stop
while permitting others to pass. Building entrances
should be oriented toward the nodes, or the nodes shall
be located in relation to existing entrances, to
facilitate pedestrian way-finding thorough the network.
Like gateways, nodes are important for navigation and
orientation and should contain directional signs to
adjacent buildings. Where nodes are located near
building entrances, they may also contain information
kiosks. Nodes near the gateways should contain bicycle
racks.
Outdoor Rooms
Prominent campus nodes shall serve as outdoor rooms.
Whereas nodes are active points of transition on the
pedestrian circulation network, outdoor rooms are places
to linger. These are the quieter spaces for
contemplation or study – or active spaces for lounging
or “hanging out” with friends. Sometimes, faculty even
bring classes to these spaces to enjoy the natural
beauty.
Outdoor rooms should be enhanced by seating and Highly
Managed Landscape. Outdoor rooms are spaces where
sculpture could be displayed and enjoyed. Outdoor rooms
should be marked with a change in paving materials or
patterns and a concentration of site amenities such as
emergency phones, benches, and plantings. There are
several well defined existing outdoor rooms on the
campus including the Kennelly commons and the open space
between SMT, the Tech Center and the Science Building.
Vehicular Circulation
- Visitor
Access to visitor parking areas shall be easy,
convenient, and located directly adjacent to the
main campus entry and major gateways. Every effort
will be made to provide a new visitor parking lot
immediately adjunct to the main campus entry and
Student Services. Solutions should not require
visitors to “search” for a parking spot.
- Students, Faculty and Staff
Access to
campus parking areas should be provided through
multiple secondary entry points in order to ease
general traffic flow.
- Support
Where possible, access to
building loading dock and other service locations
should be separated from pedestrian and normal
traffic routes. This is primarily to provide safe
movement throughout campus.
Graphics
Click on Circulation Concept for a graphic depiction.
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