RDLA designed the landscape surrounding the new entrance to the Holyoke Community College Student Center, creating a welcoming and universally accessible campus environment that responds to the site’s challenging topography and natural setting. The design uses native shade trees, shrubs, grasses, wetland plantings, and a wildflower meadow to provide seasonal interest while strengthening the landscape surrounding Tannery Brook.

A new granite seat wall creates an informal outdoor gathering space for students and faculty while connecting the building interior with the surrounding landscape. Layered plantings of flowering perennials, grasses, shrubs, and evergreens provide year-round interest and frame views from the Student Center’s large windows. Together, the improvements integrate accessibility, native planting, and social space into a resilient campus landscape.