Higher Education Campus Planning

Designing Vibrant Campuses Where All Can Thrive

We leverage a context-sensitive and human-centered approach to campus planning that highlights essential campus elements and identifies effective and innovative ways to connect people, disciplines and ideas for generations to come.

Heritage and brand play a significant role in our campus planning process, recognizing that a signature building or outdoor space can unite generations of alums in a community. Whether by identifying a new hub for a campus precinct with space for industry partners or establishing a greenspace that links old parts of campus to new ones, we understand that when people come together, life-changing connections are made.

We Celebrate These Numbers

No. 2

BD+C Giants, 2024

For more info contact

Başak Alkan

Campus Planning Principal

Email

collaboration zone within the College of Charleston Rita Hollings Science Center

Critical Elements of Campus Planning

Financial Resources: A clear, data-driven strategy is required to right-size facilities for optimal space utilization.

Health and Sustainability: Enhancing campus environments is key to attracting and retaining talent.

Hybrid Environments: Flexible, tech-rich spaces are essential for hybrid interactions.

Demographics: Adapting to fewer high school graduates and supporting non-traditional students is crucial.

Blurring Boundaries: Interdisciplinary research and community engagement are transforming campus gateways.

Future Uncertainty: Agility in planning ensures long-term resilience amid global unpredictability.

Subject Matter Experts

Leila Kamal, Education Director

Leila has over two decades of experience as a practicing architect, focusing on designing teaching and research environments that support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Her deep knowledge and insight help universities fulfill their missions, address complex challenges and respond to societal, geopolitical and climate changes.

Başak Alkan, Campus Planning Principal

Başak is a sought-after facilitator of inclusive planning processes, helping prestigious higher education institutions and academic medical centers across the U.S. translate their strategic visions into physical plans and projects. She emphasizes engagement to understand diverse experiences, cultures and perspectives, which are key to healthy placemaking and placekeeping outcomes.

Jon Crane, Director of Translational Health Sciences

Jon leverages over 40 years of experience in integrated planning for health sciences and STEM research to address changes in the research environment, space utilization and need projections for laboratories and core facilities. He also considers the impact of artificial intelligence and new technologies on the research landscape.

Brenda Smith, Health Education Director

Brenda has three decades of experience in healthcare and health education design, first as a nurse and now as a designer. She leads clients in programming, planning and defining project visions for specialized learning environments to prepare the next generation of clinicians.