Bishop Quad, the historic center of The Rutgers University College Avenue Campus had deteriorated over the years and had become a convenient vehicular entrance and exit for various campus services. The design task was to develop a plan for the restoration of the Quad and Entry Plaza that would restore its importance not only as a point of first arrival for visitors to the campus, but also as a gathering place and sitting area for students and faculty. Vehicular traffic through the space was eliminated and re-routed and new shaded sitting areas were created on both sides of the main Entry Plaza which include new shade trees, benches, seat walls and steps and shrub and groundcover plantings. The new Entry Plaza is brick-paved, and the Quad was given a new oval form with central lawn, seat walls, brick paved walks and new tree, shrub and groundcover plantings.

darien quad and bishop quad -
rutgers university

Location: Rutgers University - New Brunswick Campus
Client: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Darian Quad, a dormitory quadrangle enclosed by several historic buildings along Rutgers' College Avenue Campus was characterized by poorly defined spaces with an excessive asphalt pavement, poor lighting, and ineffective plantings. MKW developed a plan for the restoration of the Quad that restored its importance for visitors to the campus and as a gathering place and sitting area for students. A gentle terraced lawn was created to draw people into the space and provide a gathering area while accommodating a grade change. Sitting areas were created and include benches, cafe tables, seat walls, a pavilion, shade trees and shrub and groundcover plantings.