North Campus Residential Village at SUNY Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

The State University of New York, Geneseo campus recently embarked upon a re-visioning of its northern residential zone.  Bayer Associates worked as part of a design team to generate a conceptual master plan for the area.  With the goal of creating pedestrian-scaled spaces and well-defined links to other parts of the campus, a number of objectives were identified.  They include enhancement of the central “Village Green” through regrading, and definition of its perimeter with improved planting, terraced walkways, and clearly delineated gateways. Within dormitory courtyards, new hardscape surfaces and regrading will offer safer and more accessible pathway egress.  Gateways at the corners of the courtyards will further strengthen the spaces and provide a sense of passage from one place into another. Seating niches, graced by well-developed planting pockets, will increase the sense of community for students. The stark and looming building facades will be softened with a generous tree planting program.  A major pedestrian link between the northern quadrangle and the centrally located Student Union will feature an improved “avenue” with complimentary tree planting, ornamental lighting, seating pockets, and a central node and monument at the junction of arterial paths.  Current vehicular access will be reduced to emergency use only.