Wake Forest University Campus Master Plan

Project Description

Working on a team led by Ayers/Saint/Gross Architects, Biohabitats provided ecological and stormwater master planning services for Wake Forest University. Biohabitats prepared an ecological characterization for the Wake Forest University main campus and investigated and documented important ecological connections the main campus has with the surrounding region. The ecological assessment consisted of a compilation of existing information and field reconnaissance to document existing features important to the ecology of the site and the surrounding region as well as identifying areas more suitable for development.

In addition, Biohabitats provided stormwater master planning services to support the Campus Master Plan effort. The stormwater master planning work involved gathering and reviewing pre-existing stormwater related infrastructure, field reconnaissance to verify key drainage and stormwater management features, and identification of potential stormwater retrofit opportunities that provided improved water quality, ecological function, and habitat connections that are informed by the ecological characterization described above. Preliminary hydrologic analysis was developed in association with retrofit and new stormwater management opportunities to ensure appropriate sizing and location of potential practices. An emphasis was placed on “green infrastructure” practices that provided shallow groundwater recharge, volume reduction, and natural landscapes that enabled vegetative filtering and uptake of pollutants. Schematics, photos, and representative details (where appropriate) were developed to support the Campus Master Plan. General design guidelines to inform future design and implementation efforts were also created.