---
title: Urban Ecclesiastical Landscape
description: Pirie Associates was involved with the landscape and courtyard design for Saint Thomas More Center at Yale University in New Haven, CT.
---

[![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)

# Urban Ecclesiastical Landscape

Landscape for Saint Thomas More Center at Yale University

## Project At a Glance

Client:

St. Thomas Moore, Thomas E Golden Jr. Center

Location:

New Haven, CT

Program:

Landscape and Courtyard Design

Project Team:

General Contractor: [Petra Construction](http://www.petraconstruction.com/)

Landscape Architects: Paul S. Butkus, ASLA

Civil Engineer: [TPA Design Group](https://www.tpadesigngroup.com/)

Building Architect: [Cesar Pelli & Associates](http://pcparch.com/)

A/V Systems: NA

Photographer: Paul S. Butkus 

## [![site ecology](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/site%20ecology.jpg?width=150&name=site%20ecology.jpg)](https://www.pirieassociates.com/values)[![health biophilia](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/health%20biophilia.jpg?width=150&name=health%20biophilia.jpg)![equity inclusivity](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/equity%20inclusivity.jpg?width=150&name=equity%20inclusivity.jpg)![cultural placemaking](https://www.pirieassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cultural%20placemaking.jpg?width=150&name=cultural%20placemaking.jpg)](https://www.pirieassociates.com/values)

 

## Project Details

This major expansion to the existing Chapel and Catholic Student Center at Yale provides varied indoor and outdoor spaces for social and educational activities. 

The landscape design is centered upon the entry plaza which is characterized by three interlocking rings of green slate from Wales set within a field of local Stony Creek granite. This plaza terminates a pedestrian axis through the Yale campus. 

Site design strategies included the use of permeable concrete pavers in the parking lot to reduce surface run off and low maintenance ground covers. 

In addition to the main plaza and parking area, an internal courtyard was also renovated to provide suitable resting place for founder of the Chapel, Fr. Riggs. The Chaplain’s Residence garden was also renovated to provide additional opportunities for more private social gatherings.

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