On The Eco-Rizon

In 2012, the Moody College of Communication dedicated its central plaza to its most prestigious alumni, Walter Cronkite, a man who is known as the last honest newscaster. Today, the Moody College strives to instill in its students that same moral compass when reporting in the new digital age. However, the Walter Cronkite Plaza is underutilized and overlooked, lacking elements that would inspire students to stay longer than a few minutes when passing between classes. This proposal reimagines the on-structure plaza as a collaborative space, capitalizing on Central Texas’ unique ecological systems to provide a break in the urban core for both people and wildlife, inspiring those who visit to continue to change the world.

Strategically placed organic landforms increase movement through the plaza, rather than just on the periphery, and minimize the heat island effect within the plaza, improving overall thermal comfort. Gathering spaces of varying size are carved out of these landforms, creating synergetic hubs for students to use during and outside of class. The existing drainage infrastructure has been daylighted and reshaped, winding its way through these new landforms to further define spatial geometries while also highlighting the seasonal quality of water in Central Texas. Together, with a native plant palette, these design moves create a new narrative centered around the importance of sustainable green space to encourage the exchanging of ideas.

Instructor: Adam Barbe