birch mansion at ramapo college

Location: Ramapo, New Jersey
Client: Ramapo College of New Jersey

The sitework renovation organized pedestrian and vehicular circulation at the building entry while acknowledging the historic character of the Mansion itself. At the center of the estate that was acquired in the 1970s to establish Ramapo College, the Mansion and its surrounding landscape had become disorganized and lacked a hierarchy and character that were suitable for its prominence. Building on concepts established during the master plan phase, MKW further analyzed the existing conditions and circulation and developed and refined a design for the area. A decoratively paved entry court that accommodates pedestrian traffic as well as intermittent vehicular traffic was designed in a pattern reminiscent of historic pavement which further added a level of detail to the design. An alleé of hawthorns links the arrival court to the service court at the building's rear. Native woodland plants were added to strengthen the green buffer between the Mansion and classroom buildings.