LOCATION: Moscow, ID
CLIENT: University of Idaho Arboretum Associates
SCALE: XL
ARCHITECT: zimmerraystudios
COLLABORATORS:
KEY PARTICIPANTS:
Chuck Staben and Mary Beth Staben, University of Idaho President and spouse
Kathy Aiken, Provost and Executive Vice President
Ron Smith, Vice President of Finance and Administration
Richard Naskali, Arboretum Director Emeritus
Don Burnett, Former University of Idaho President
UI Students
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Arboretum Executive Committee:
Mark Hoversten, Dean College of Art & Architecture
Gary Austin, Professor Landscape Architecture
George Newcombe, Professor, College of Natural Resources
Bob Tripepi, Chair Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences
FACILITIES:
Brian Johnson, Assistant Vice President Facilities
Ray Pankopf, Director of Architectural & Engineering Services
Charles Zillinger, Director of Facilities, Landscape
Paul Warnick, Arboretum Horticulturist
ARBORETUM ASSOCIATES:
Jan Leander, President
Maureen Taylor-Regan, Vice President
Joy Fisher, Treasurer
Bill Bowler
Mary Ann Judge
Ron Mahoney
Amy Ross-Davis
EVENTS:
Tyrone Brooks, Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Services
What is an appropriate addition, exemplifying the 1889 established University of Idaho, that will identify an “entrance” for one of North America’s most esteemed Arboretum and Botanical Gardens?
During the process of identifying the important criteria for a suitable and recognizable arboretum entrance design, it became readily apparent that a deeper commitment to campus-wide connections was what the University of Idaho truly needed.
Three bold moves emerged as strong physical and symbolic connections between previously established and revered campus places:
Plant The Seed: through road narrowing and open space definition, two distinct, yet kindred, arboreta are merged to create a new identifiable campus asset and special place.
Expand The Network: creates a pathway connection between the original “heart” of campus — the Olmsted-designed Administration Lawn and the new merged arboreta.
Clear The Way: boldly cuts a swath through the 105-year-old Shattuck Arboretum on-axis with and extending the Academic Mall, offering for the first time, a powerful visual and physical connection between student life at the north end, academics centrally, and the President residence at a south summit situated within the new Arboretum place.