The most striking feature of Duke School of Nursing’s the project site is that it is entirely wooded with a vigorous canopy of trees, which Ayers Saint Gross respected and called for minimal disturbance. Two curved stone seat walls bracket the terrace and hold the grade to preserve existing trees. Walkways approach the terrace weaving through the trees from three sides. The south building entry is marked by two tiers of stone seat walls on either side of a grand stair. Landscape strategies enhance sustainability by reducing site disturbance, protecting trees, introducing irrigation systems, reducing development footprint, and utilizing native plant materials.
