Columbia University Computer Science Courtyard
New York, NY
The renovation of this courtyard at Columbia University provides a peaceful refuge from the rigors of academic life. The design preserves the existing brick paving as a base for a new garden at the center of the department of Computer Science. A continuous planter frames the courtyard’s central gathering space and reduces the occupiable open space to meet code. This planter forms a lush buffer between faculty offices and the courtyard’s gathering space made up of magnolia trees and a rich variety of evergreen and flowering shrubs and groundcovers. Niches tucked into the planting areas provide verdant nooks for sitting, studying and quiet conversation. The central paved area is scattered with moveable tables and umbrellas that can be cleared to make way for department and campus events.
CLIENT: Columbia University
COLLABORATORS: Shakespeare Gordon Vlado Architects (SGVA)