Campus Stormwater Master Plan
Tulane University Downtown
Client: Tulane University
Role: Executive Architect, Master Planning
Scope: Comprehensive stormwater and sustainability master plan for Tulane University's Downtown Campus.
Status: Complete 2024
Size: 695,000 sq. ft.
Collaborators: Sherwood Design Engineers, SCAPE
A comprehensive plan to develop a more resilient Downtown Campus for Tulane University
In 2024, Studio West served as the Executive Architect in coordination with Sherwood Design Engineers and Scape, to study the existing Tulane Downtown Campus and develop a comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan for the campus. The project reviewed the entire drainage network of downtown New Orleans to develop a long-term plan to comply with City of New Orleans stormwater requirements to detain the first 1.25 inch of rainfall on-site. The Plan represents a forward-thinking approach and serves to mitigate flooding risk while enhancing the ecological and social fabric of Tulane’s Downtown Campus.
An implementation strategy that provides flexibility for future project funding
The strategy was developed recognizing that not all buildings or parcels could contribute equally to stormwater retention. Suitable existing parking garages were identified as opportunities for above-ground storage tanks, while parcels with open site areas were designated for underground storage or soil cells. In this way parcels that are significantly constrained, either by utilities or lack of open space, can be addressed holistically across the entire ownership area, rather than being constrained by property boundaries.
