Location: Amherst, MA
Client: University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Team: Leers Weinzapfel Architects, RMF Engineering
Award: Honor Award, 2019, Boston Society of Architects
Photography: Brad Feinknopf

Brown, Richardson + Rowe worked with RMF Engineering and Leers Weinzapfel Architects on the landscape design for the new North and ISB Chiller Plants Upgrade at the UMass Amherst campus completed in fall 2018. The North and ISB Chiller Plants and new utility routings through the campus impacted existing plantings, walkways, parking lots and roadways. BRR completed a tree impact study, developed maintenance guidelines, and performed mitigation with replacement plantings. The design maintained trees in regraded areas with stone retaining walls. BRR also provided a low maintenance, all season color planting design around the new glass walled North Chiller building using tree species consistent with the University’s goals for species diversity. BRR closely coordinated with the UMass Arboretum Committee who had an active role in all phases of the project.