Driven by a responsive design approach, this educational project creates a functional plaza for students and faculty to utilize as an outdoor classroom and general gathering space. The key behind the responsiveness of this design, is the reflection of the adjacent indoor uses, in both the existing and proposed architecture, onto the landscape. Behind a tall architectural facade lies the student cafeteria and indoor commons spaces — uses that have been mirrored onto the site in an outdoor capacity. The fluidity of the indoor/outdoor mirrored design encourages faculty, staff and students to venture outdoors for a meal, for a class, or for relaxation. In addition, this space also serves to enhance pedestrian circulation and connection to the outdoor sports complex.

The finished product addresses and remediates various site challenges without compromising its goal of creating an exceptional outdoor student commons space tucked into a gradually sloped nook, uniquely juxtaposed between new and old architecture. This project is part of a larger master planning effort on the McQuaid Jesuit High School campus, which has been facilitated by the talented engineers and designers here at Costich.