Texas Tech University

 

2023 Texas ASLA
Honor Award

 

STEM

 

Revitalizing Red Raider Plaza

Revitalizing Red Raider Plaza's mission is to propose a revival of the space with the intent to transform the space into a place that is accesible to all. Red Raider Plaza is situated inside of heavy pedestrian traffic flow and in the shadow of the campus university library. The site is known for its outdoor seating arrangements and is often used as a place to take a break, hang out with friends, and a place for organizations to set up booths. After conducting surveys with people on campus, most of them want a space that has a variety as well as gathering data by utilizing the GIS data collection tool via the mobile application platform. The different data collected consisted of what could become an issue for people with disabilities, pedestrian traffic, and behaviors. A strategy was then implemented ot identify significant issues and what needed to be improved.

On-site the major issues were accessibility, limited variety of leisure activities, and limited movement between spaces. To ensure accessbility would be addressed different types of seating arrangements would be required to be ADA-approved, and any types of ramps would need to meet ADA standards. A variety of different opportunities would also be provided such as sheltered outdoor dining, elevated seating to provide a recluse from the ongoing pedestrian traffic, activity zones, parklets with bicycyle racks, and a variety of landscaping.

A restorative approach was also needed to provide native trees and plants to the area as well as introduce stromwater management to the area. Stormwater management was needed to counteract the pooling of water in areas. After observing potential issues tree pits, and bio-retention cells were introduced in the areas to mediate stormwater runoff. These cells also introduce new areas for native species of plants. Overall Revitalization of Red Raider Plaza would increase social interaction, accessibility, stormwater management, and improve circulation.

Designer

Jonathan Mata, DoLA