Favorite Places on Campus

ASLA staff
Part of the crowd at the Memorial Union on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, on graduation weekend, 2012 image: Richard Hurd via Flickr
Part of the crowd at the Memorial Union on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, on graduation weekend, 2012
image: Richard Hurd via Flickr

In a 2013 survey of ASLA’s Professional Practice Networks (PPNs), the questions focused on the theme of favorite spaces. Throughout the survey, there were a number of universities and colleges mentioned in nearly every category, from great spaces to linger to technically innovative projects. Whether you’re currently a student or faculty member, or if you just feel nostalgic for when you were in school from time to time, let’s take a look at PPN members’ favorite spots on campus. Did your alma mater get mentioned?

Favorite iconic space

  • The University of Pennsylvania’s Locust Walk and College Green
    “It’s a great place for socializing in terms of scale and space. Walking into the area always feels like coming home.”

Great space to move through

  • Louisiana State University’s Quadrangle
  • Michigan State University’s campus
  • The University of Washington’s Botanic Gardens and Arboretum

The Rotunda, at the University of Virginia image: Zach Stern via Flickr
The Rotunda, at the University of Virginia
image: Zach Stern via Flickr

Space for lingering

  • Cornell University’s Cornell Plantations
  • The University of Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum
  • The University of Virginia’s Lawn
  • The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Memorial Union
Outside the Memorial Union on Lake Mendota, University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, on a Saturday night in early September, 2013 image: Richard Hurd via Flickr
Outside the Memorial Union on Lake Mendota, University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, on a Saturday night in early September, 2013
image: Richard Hurd via Flickr

Small, but mighty space

  • The University of Georgia’s Founders Garden
    “Detailed, fits its site, quiet and contemplative.”
  • UMass Amherst’s Durfee Conservatory
    “It has such a compelling combination of grand, historic trees and modern materials in a relatively small space. A truly beautiful, intimate space.”

Technically innovative project

  • The University of Washington’s South Lake Union Medical Center courtyard
Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens image: Kevin Oliver via Flickr
Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens
image: Kevin Oliver via Flickr

Absolute favorite space

  • Butler University’s campus
  • Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens
  • Swarthmore College’s Outdoor Amphitheater
  • The University of Washington’s Botanic Gardens and Arboretum
The Japanese Garden in the University of Washington’s Botanic Gardens and Arboretum image: Douglas Easterly via Flickr
The Japanese Garden in the University of Washington’s Botanic Gardens and Arboretum
image: Douglas Easterly via Flickr

At the start of 2013, a questionnaire was sent out to members of ASLA’s Professional Practice Networks (PPNs). The theme: favorite spaces. As you can imagine, responses were varied, and included many insightful comments and suggestions. Synopses of the survey results were originally shared in LAND over the course of 2013, and we are now re-posting this information here on The Field. For the latest updates on the results of the annual PPN Survey, see LAND’s PPN News section.

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