--- title: University Landscapes Can Enhance Wellbeing description: Becky Nichols writes about how Baker Hall at Yale University has landscapes intended to enhance wellbeing in the exterior environment. image: https://www.pirieassociates.com/hubfs/University%20Landscapes_main%20image-1.png --- [![Pirie Associates Architects in New Haven, CT](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hubfs/images/pirie-associates-architects-in-new-haven-ct-1.png)](https://www.pirieassociates.com) # University Landscapes Can Enhance Wellbeing **Date:** May 10, 2019 9:30:00 AM [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pirieassociates.com%2Fblog%2Funiversity-landscapes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pirieassociates.com%2Fblog%2Funiversity-landscapes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pirieassociates.com%2Fblog%2Funiversity-landscapes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pirieassociates.com%2Fblog%2Funiversity-landscapes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=University%20Landscapes%20Can%20Enhance%20Wellbeing) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pirieassociates.com%2Fblog%2Funiversity-landscapes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.hubspot.com%2Fhub%2F158015%2F305390_10100548508246879_837195_59275782_6882128_n.jpg) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pirieassociates.com%2Fblog%2Funiversity-landscapes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pirieassociates.com%2Fblog%2Funiversity-landscapes%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) [By: Becky Nichols](https://www.pirieassociates.com/becky-nichols-leed-ap-at-pirie-associates-architects-connecticut) Landscapes for universities have to do a lot of work.  Plantings need to be hearty, easy to maintain, and have low irrigation requirements.  Stormwater management, especially in urban environments, requires intense planning and infrastructure.  Beyond these important practicalities, though, landscapes offer an opportunity to enhance student and faculty [wellbeing](https://www.pirieassociates.com/blog/health-of-place).  Research tells us that being connected to high-quality landscape environments has stress-reducing impacts and improves cognitive function.    At Yale Law School’s [Baker Hall](https://www.pirieassociates.com/baker-hall-renovation-for-academic-and-residential-use-at-yale-law-school-pirie-associates), the design of the exterior environment has an even bigger impact than in typical university environments.  In addition to classroom and collaborative space, the building houses 110 residents. ![Yale Baker Hall Landscape](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%201.png?width=800&name=image%201.png) We implemented several strategies to engage landscape in supporting health and wellbeing.  Active and passive activities are accommodated with a variety of outdoor spatial character zones.  A generous lawn offers a place for students to play frisbee or put out picnic blankets.  A sports field drainage system was used to avoid having multiple drains that would make using the lawn in this way unsafe and unpleasant.  There are nooks and crannies where someone can quietly study.  There are café and picnic tables, and the courtyard was carefully designed to accommodate a tent for [events](https://www.pirieassociates.com/baker-hall-dedication-ceremony). Plant selection is critical when designing to support wellbeing.  Research shows that landscape material with textural variety has a stronger impact on stress reduction than uniform species.  An existing elm was able to be saved and offers the overhead canopy and dappled shade that has particularly stress-reducing effects.  Shrubs with smaller textures such as Inkberry and Cherry Laurel are combined with grassy textures like Liriope and woodland textures like Lady’s Mantel.  Blooming was planned for year-round interest with particular attention to the beginning of the school year and commencement.  The courtyard is also home to [sculptures](https://www.pirieassociates.com/blog/art-in-public-spaces) meant to delight and evoke.  Rona Pondick’s “Granite Bed” is 16’ art piece that can be used for lounging. ![Yale Baker Hall Landscape Rona Pondick](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%202.png?width=800&name=image%202.png) A canopy and plinth were added to the exterior of the building.  This area allows people to enjoy being outdoors even during inclement weather.  It also allows people to experience a sense of “prospect” over their surroundings.  The craving for this sensation is what causes people to want decks or porches on their homes.  Having a sense of prospect over your surroundings is naturally comforting.  It also serves to reduce the entrance of contaminants into the building. A guiding design strategy for the renovation of the building was to connect the interior space to the landscape as much as possible.  There are a series of acoustically glazed workrooms along the first floor corridor.  Windows in these spaces have sills and heads tight to the exterior surfaces, making it feel like the exterior materials extend into the building.  When walking through the corridor, you have a continuous connection to the courtyard.  An unexpected delight is that the acoustic glazing on the other side of the corridor provides a reverse reflection of the courtyard, translucently layered with views to the townhouses on the other side of the building through the classroom and study spaces.  You truly feel surrounded by nature even when you’re indoors. ![image 3](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%203.png?width=800&name=image%203.png)   ## Related Material ### Project [![Baker Hall ](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Baker%20Hall%20_News%20Press%20Email.png?width=608&height=368&name=Baker%20Hall%20_News%20Press%20Email.png)](https://www.pirieassociates.com/baker-hall-renovation-for-academic-and-residential-use-at-yale-law-school-pirie-associates) [Academic, Social & Residential University Building](https://www.pirieassociates.com/baker-hall-renovation-for-academic-and-residential-use-at-yale-law-school-pirie-associates) ### Blog [![art-in-public-spaces-1](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_BLOG/pa-blog/art-in-public-spaces-1.png?width=587&height=440&name=art-in-public-spaces-1.png)](https://www.pirieassociates.com/blog/art-in-public-spaces) [Art in Public Spaces](https://www.pirieassociates.com/blog/art-in-public-spaces) ### Blog [![Health of Place](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Health%20of%20Place.jpg?width=773&height=434&name=Health%20of%20Place.jpg)](https://www.pirieassociates.com/blog/health-of-place) [Health of Place](https://www.pirieassociates.com/blog/health-of-place) ### LEARN. INSPIRE. CREATE. ### Recent Posts ![author avatar](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hubfs/Becky_-_Website_Image.jpg) ### This post was written by [Becky Nichols](https://www.pirieassociates.com/blog/author/becky-nichols) Becky Nichols, NCIDQ, LEED AP, has over 10 years of experience in the design industry. She has worked on a variety of project types including retail prototype design and nationwide fit-outs, higher education and high school facilities, and commercial office spaces. She was awarded for her role as lead designer for the DSN Community Center in Ocean Township, New Jersey. #### Connect with Becky [![linkedIn](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/298925/file-1297413416-png/Streamlined_2/social_media/linkedIn.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-nichols-89b3a414) [![twitter](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/298925/file-1301655045-png/Streamlined_2/social_media/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/BeckyNicholsPAA) ## Learn. Inspire. Create. 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