The document proposes updates to the Gammage Landscape to improve pedestrian access and circulation. It analyzes existing issues like lack of shade and inefficient parking layout. The proposed plan aims to solve circulation problems through realigned roads and walkways, add more gathering spaces and planting areas, and maximize pedestrian priority and comfort while preserving key historic elements. The updates are intended to make the space more functional and appealing for visitors without disrespecting the historic aspects of the site.

1. A Functional Update for the Gammage Landscape
Erin Torchia | Spring 2014

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Site Parking and
Circulation
Gathering
Spaces
Details
01 02 03 04 05
+ Goal
+ Basic
Constraints
+ Site Analysis
+ Proposed
Plan
+ Parking
+ Automobile
Circulation
+ Overview
+ Road
Sections
+ Pedestrian
Circulation
+ Diagonal
Link to
Campus
+ Gammage
+ Bridge
Engings
+ ASU Herb
Garden
+ Northeast
Grassy Area
+ North and
South
Entrances
+ Southwest
Grassy Area
+ Historic
Fountains
+ Birchett Park
+ Design
Details and
Notes
Introduction So What?
06
+ Implications
of Proposed
Design

3. The goal is to update the site so
that it functions more as a
pedestrian-friendly space.
Introduction
Basic Constraints
• Changes must be distinct yet
compatible with the historic
structure.
• The following elements
must be preserved:
• Gammage Auditorium
• The historic fountains
and curved lights
• Circulation around the
entire building
• At least 80% of the
existing parking
• Views of the building
from Apache Boulevard
Pictured: Existing Conditions of Gammage
Goal

4. Site Analysis - Conclusion: There are many areas that are currently inefficient and can be improved.
Site

5. Site
Proposed
Site Plan
The proposed
plan aims to
solve the
major issues
with circulation
and shade,
along with
some minor
issues like
adding
crosswalks.

6. The parking currently
forms curved lines that
appear to ripple away from
the building; unfortunately,
this means that people
must walk between cars
(rather than on a clear
path) to get to the building.
This is inefficient and
tiresome for
pedestrians.
Parking and Circulation
Parking
The proposed design maximizes efficiency while providing large amounts
of filtered shade via trees that are planted in a gently curving line; thus,
from above, the design retains rippling lines.

7. Most of the proposed design
involves realigning
intersections and making the
traffic lanes inside the site
two-way; this minimizes
driver confusion.
Two traffic circles are
proposed along Gammage
Parkway to decrease
speed and increase
efficiency of vehicles
attempting to enter or
circumnavigate the site.
Automobile traffic is
maintained along Forest
Avenue and Gammage
Parkway, but only the theater
trucks may continue to use
the road directly behind
Gammage.
Parking and Circulation
Automobile Circulation - Overview

8. The current speed limit
is 35 mph, but cars
frequently travel at 50
mph; this is unsafe for
the cyclists in the bike
lane and pedestrians,
who are only provided
a narrow sidewalk
adjacent to the road.
VisionParking and Circulation
Automobile Circulation - Road Sections: Apache Boulevard
The proposed design aims to improve the bike lanes,
sidewalks, and crosswalks.

9. Parking and Circulation
Automobile Circulation - Road Sections: Gammage Pkwy and Forest Ave
Forest Avenue was
given bike lanes at the
expense of one of the
lanes of on-street
parking; pedestrians
and cyclists alike will
now feel safer traveling
in this area. Buses will
continue to service the
stops along this route.
Gammage Parkway
received two traffic calming
circles and an intersection
realignment to reduce
traffic speed and volume.

10. The sidewalk is currently
too wide- the lack of
shade and intimidating
amount of paved surface
is not welcoming.
The sidewalk will be
reduced to 8 feet on
either side of the planted
median, and the historic
lights will be moved
inward to regain the
intended sense of
enclosure along the
pathway.
VisionParking and Circulation
Pedestrian Circulation - Diagonal Link to Campus
Pictured: One side of the
walkway, with the historic
lights nearly hidden
amongst the trees.

11. The current circulation around
Gammage is overwhelmingly
auto-centric; there is very little
shade and a frighteningly large
expanse of pavement.
The proposed plan narrows
the automobile lane while
providing raised
crosswalks for pedestrians.
Pedestrians are free to
circumnavigate the building, but
cars are restricted; only trucks
may pass behind the building, and
they are reminded it is a
pedestrian zone with raised
concrete pavers.
New gathering spaces are shown
in purple, pedestrian circulation in
green, and large scale gathering
spaces are hatched in pink.
VisionParking and Circulation
Pedestrian Circulation - Gammage

12. The proposed design provides space around these endings so that people are not forced to
walk through the parking lot to use the bridges.
The current bridges, while
striking, do not take into
account pedestrian comfort
where the bridges touch
the ground.
VisionParking and Circulation
Pedestrian Circulation – Bridge Endings

13. The space will
remain secluded,
but visitors who
find it will be
welcomed with a
fragrant and shady
place to stop and
rest.
The herbs will be placed
in tiered planters with
decorative plants at the
back so that visitors can
have access to the
herbs. More seating will
be provided so that the
area can be used as a
café space.
Gathering Spaces
ASU Herb Garden
The ASU Herb Garden is currently hidden by a bus stop and a series of pomegranate
trees. Some of the herbs have labels, but they are all planted at ground level, so visitors
cannot easily learn about them.

14. Large expanses of grass are
inefficient in Arizona.
Nonetheless, this grass is
useful because students stop
and rest or gather in the space.
Thus, this area will
remain mostly as it is,
with only minor
alterations.
The arborvitae hedges/trees
will be removed because they
pose a safety hazard at night,
and the African Sumac trees
will be removed because they
are known to be invasive.
Replacement trees will be
added to provide adequate
shade, and some seating will
be added.
Gathering Spaces
Northeast Grassy Area

15. Gathering Spaces
Both spaces will become
more welcoming and
therefore will attract
more pedestrians.
The Northern entrance has excessively deep shade and is underutilized; the
existing trees will be replaced with Blue Palo Verde trees (Parkinsonia florida).
The southern entrance (near the ticket booth) will be provided with improved
seating arrangements. (The bench planter will feature Portulacaria afra.)
North and South Entrances

16. The current situation
features a large
expanse of grass that
is unwelcoming and
exposed to more than
its fair share of harsh
southwestern light.
Native plants will be
planted in the area,
and a path will lead
pedestrians directly
to the building.
Small, lightly shaded
gathering spaces will
be added on either side
of the path to invite
people to rest and relax
in the space.
Gathering Spaces
Southwest Grassy Area
The views of the building will not be impeded at all points; the trees will frame
the view and liven up the pedestrian experience along Apache Boulevard.

17. Gathering Spaces
Historic Fountains
Seating will be
provided
around the
fountain so that
visitors may
enjoy the
rippling water.
Underwhelming and
nearly hidden, the
historic fountains are
an excellent
opportunity to create
a gathering space for
those who step out
for air during or after
the show.

18. Gathering Spaces
Birchett Park is an
underutilized
memorial park that
would has a great
view of Gammage.
This design updates
it by adding more
planters and seating
walls, along with a
sidewalk that
features more
connections to the
park.
Birchett Park

19. Details
Details
The building presents an elegant façade to Apache Boulevard, but it is oriented so that the large
expanse of glass is vulnerable to the intense afternoon sun- trees planted near the windows will block
some of this light and heat without detracting from the views. Below is an abbreviated plant palette.

20. The proposed design aims to improve
the parking, circulation, and
gathering spaces in and around the
Grady Gammage Auditorium.
So What?
So What?
This design will increase safety in and around the site while fixing the most inefficient areas; overall, it
will make the space more appealing to visitors without disrespecting the legacies of Frank Lloyd Wright
and Grady Gammage.
The large quantity of trees added to the parking
lot will help mitigate the site’s urban heat island
effect. Planting low maintenance native vegetation
that is drought and heat tolerant will reduce both
the water bill and the maintenance costs.
This design features multiple elements
of low-impact and sustainable design,
such as parking stalls with permeable
paving.