Punctuation Points

The Cambridge University ensemble acts as a punctuation point along the north facade that encloses the Great Court. The arch form at the base of the tower attracts attention, marking access to the adjacent buildings, and a passageway to the spaces beyond.

In recent years the orchestration of spatial sequences through the campus is too often an opportunity neglected. The definition and location of pedestrian networks, i.e. the campus path system, deserves special attention in generating visually satisfying campus plans.

There is no mystery as to method. A good map, camera, and discerning eye, can trace and express existing conditions. The information and impressions can then be scanned so as to identify opportunities for clarifying and strengthening the spatial sequence, or establishing a new sequence when on-coming projects so permit. The latter should be considered as candidates for conceptualization as campus design punctuation points, when such gestures and concepts appear appropriate from an informed review of the larger campus development pattern and circulation networks.

Richard P. Dober