By Meghan Burger

Spotlight: University of Cincinnati North Main Plaza, 2021 GRAY Awards Finalist

A closer look at University of Cincinnati North Main Plaza, one of three finalists in the 2021 GRAY Awards Commercial Landscape category.

University of Cincinnati North Main Plaza

Located in the heart of the University of Cincinnati (UC) campus, the Main Street North Plaza connects the Lindner College of Business (COB) to other important campus buildings and merges previously disconnected campus features. Embracing the existing UC design aesthetic, the new plaza uses multimodal routes to connect people while incorporating an innovative bioswale and wetland plant palette to manage stormwater and maintain the walkway’s human scale.

The design team recognized untapped opportunities for environmental and experiential learning and integrated educational and artistic water management features. The UC campus is served by Cincinnati’s combined sewer system which mandated improved stormwater management. The result is a sustainable community space that enriches the site experience with aesthetic and educational stormwater management. This renovation celebrates green infrastructure as a sustainable resource management solution and an artful, engaging landscape environment. The inclusivity of the plaza brings all members of the campus together and supports social equity. Students soak in lessons on environmental enhancement and exercise social intelligence in an environment that fosters both. The plaza continues to enhance the UC experience with beauty, circulation, community and environmental protection.