Washington, D.C.

GW is in the heart of the Foggy Bottom section of Washington, surrounded by significant landmarks and neighborhoods that create pressure on its borders. As a result, the University needed an identity of its own. ASG was brought in to develop a Campus Plan to coincide with a series of major capital projects and ongoing renovations, as well as to establish an "amenities plan" to help define the campus. The goal was to establish guidelines and identify discreet projects to be built over time.

Because of a lack of clarity in architectural style and materials, ASG recommended future buildings be made of red brick, with dolomitic limestone, buff precast concrete, bone white windows, and oak doors. The analysis also showed that the street grid creates the order for campus. So the street edges were an opportunity to mark the campus with gates, walls, and pylons. Then, internal blocks were chosen for a network of college greens.

ASG also suggested a strategy for design and placement of miscellaneous identifying elements, such as banners, benches, kiosks, and directories.

Since the plan's completion, it has been aggressively implemented, guiding the placement of gateways, signage, street furniture, open spaces and buildings, thus transforming an undefined series of urban blocks into a true campus.

Completion: 1993
Size: Six blocks of the campus core