Designed by architect Peter Walker and Partners (PWP), the third and final phase of the university’s 100-plus acre campus landscape enhancements program provided extensive plantings and new infrastructure across different areas of the campus. New features include more than 1,300 trees, turf, groundcovers, other plantings and light signage.

Crews also created a large pedestrian promenade, improved various utilities, upgraded site drainage and irrigation, built new sign structures and incorporated car and pedestrian pavements and walkways. Linbeck used an extensive potholing method to identify and locate existing utilities, then coordinated with the design team to resolve conflicts. Based on its findings, the project team decided to use spread footings instead of piers at monument signs and light poles. In areas where conflicts could not be resolved, the contractor and landscape architect found alternate locations to install trees.

To respect the landscaping that was already present, crews used air spading at existing tree canopies in lieu of traditional excavation. The strategy protected well-established trees and helped ensure new plantings could enhance the lives of these trees, not disturb them.

The team utilized BIM 360 to record the quality, quantity and location of planting materials. Drones were used extensively to document QA/QC of the work and show progress across the large expanse. The $14.4-million project was completed on time and on budget in August 2021.