Located at the core of the Cal Poly Humboldt campus on the lower reaches of Fickle Hill, the Engineering & Technology (E&T) Building landscape is strategically positioned on a key campus arrival axis. The site's east-to-west slope and relationship to a prominent stand of Redwood trees set the stage for a design intended to deliver a vibrant, social, and ecologically sustainable environment. The goal of this project is to create a welcoming and interactive space that serves as an extension of the learning experience, aesthetically complementing the new building while fostering a strong sense of community and context.
The site is organized into four key functional zones. The Main Entry & Arrival Plaza on the west side, at the intersection of Harpst and B Streets, serves as the primary gateway, featuring high-value paving, integrated seating, and atmospheric lighting that connects the building's interior to the exterior campus experience. The East Courtyard, framed by the new building and a stand of mature Redwood trees, is designed to support student life by serving as an open, flexible area for social gatherings and a dedicated outdoor fabrication lab for project work. Along the south, the design enhances the 17th Street sidewalk experience with street trees and site walls that manage topography and screen building services. To the north, the Fire Lane is treated as a high-finish, well-traveled pathway, incorporating landscaping and lighting to enhance wayfinding and safety for students circulating between the dormitories and the west side of campus.
Sustainability is a core component, guiding material selection and planting design. All hardscape will utilize durable, low-maintenance materials conforming to campus guidelines. The plant palette is climate-adaptive and well-suited to the local ecology of Coastal Northern California. The irrigation system prioritizes high efficiency and low water loss, utilizing drip and subsurface irrigation, along with soil moisture monitoring and a weather-based system to ensure proper water use and plant establishment.
The overarching vision is for the E&T landscape to evoke a spirit of discovery and creativity, creating a delightful and aesthetically pleasing experience that reinforces the college's rich history and enhances the site's overall character for generations of students.
