At the MASLA Annual Awards Banquet on May 8, 1998, Kochi University of Technology — submitted in the Public Design category — won top honors. Bryan Carlson, FSLA, of Ellerbe Becket, was campus master planner and landscape architect for the Kochi, Japan, project. Nikken Sekkei Ltd., a local Japanese firm, was architect and engineer.
Kochi University is a joint prefecture and private university for 2,500 students. The client’s goal was to create a new university that focuses on education and research in science and technology, and to create a campus that will be a positive symbol for Kochi as well as student and campus communities nationwide. Master planning began in April 1994, and classes started in April 1997. The site work was essentially completed in October 1997.
An entirely new campus was designed for the university, including master planning and all site, architectural and engineering design. As landscape architect, Bryan Carlson developed the master plan and completed site design, detail development and site construction observation. He worked collaboratively with Nikken Sekkei Ltd. to intertwine the architecture and site, including initial massing and character development of the architecture, selecting materials and colors, and integrating terraces and courtyards in the buildings.
This new university campus not only supports education and research, but also brings jobs and industry to the relatively poor Kochi prefecture. The 36-acre (14.5-hectare) campus — with its tranquil pools, ceremonial entrance, and tree-lined gathering spaces — is located on the former site of an agricultural experimental station.
An innovator since its founding in 1909, Ellerbe Becket provides integrated architecture, engineering and construction services from 11 office locations worldwide.
