2025 | New Construction | 1.7 acres (74,000 sq. ft.)
Tulane University Downtown Campus
Tulane Avenue Streetscape and Plazas
As part of its multi-year, $1 billion commitment to revitalizing its downtown campus for expanded research opportunities, Tulane University is collaborating with Studio West, as Executive Architect, and Scape Landscape Architecture to design and construct three new major plazas with connecting streetscape and roadway improvements along Tulane Avenue, the main artery of the campus. The design includes new plaza paving, landscaping, and stormwater retention for the surrounding buildings, unifying the downtown campus into a cohesive whole.
Re-invigorating an urban campus through urban design
Tulane University approached the design of the Tulane Avenue plazas with a comprehensive strategy in mind. In addition to serving as Executive Architect, Studio West led two related master plans for the entire Tulane Downtown Campus. The first looked comprehensively at campus wayfinding and signage and developed a master plan for the campus including the addition of campus gateways. The second was a comprehensive stormwater master plan, aiming to bring the entire Downtown Campus into compliance with the City of New Orleans’ stormwater ordinance to detain the first inch and quarter of rainfall on private property. This multi-year plan will be implanted as Tulane advances projects on its downtown campus.
A thoughtfully planned campus strategy
Studio West worked with the Business School to provide programing and design for the innovation lab. Multiple design and furniture configurations were explored to create a highly flexible space, that will allow for student workshops, networking events, entrepreneurial pitch presentations and guest lectures. The tables are height adjustable, and a variety of seating options allow for maximum flexibility to adapt to the space as desired for collaboration. With an understanding that a variety of space types encourage collaboration, the lab includes three technologies equipped 4–6-person meeting spaces and one larger meeting room with optional electrochromic glass, The Freeman School of Business understands snacks fuel ideas and bring students together. The space includes a compact kitchen adjacent to the lounge with foldable doors that can conceal the kitchenette when not in use. This feature was critical for the Freeman School of Business to plan for catered networking events to bring students, business professionals, and alumni together.
