The design team worked to capture the essential character of the New Hampshire landscape and distill it into an idealized snapshot of the state, creating a model outdoor field laboratory to generate geological, botanical, and ecological awareness for the college and community.
Dirtworks worked closely with the faculty to develop elements for use in teaching. Paving patterns and materials illustrate geologic strata and processes with native stone types. Large boulders, representing rock outcrops, provide opportunities to study natural rock formations. The plant palette was carefully selected to represent native New Hampshire flora, the systematic hierarchy of botany, and botanical evolution. Two wells allow for monitoring water quality and groundwater levels. While closely linked to the academic curriculum, the courtyard also offers a convivial setting for relaxation and inspiration. via
