Mission College Interdisciplinary Plaza
Santa Clara, CA
The removal of Mission College's main building, which was built in 1976, offered an opportunity to create a multi-functional outdoor quad located at the heart of the community college campus. As landscape architect to the prime WRNS Architects, Gates + Associates led the design for the new central plaza. Ringed by buildings to form a coherent edge to the open space, the plaza features outdoor study spaces, a performance venue, woodland outdoor classrooms, spaces for resting and solitude, and arrival nodes which connect to primary destinations and parking.
The $22 million plaza creates a renewed “sense of place” for the campus and focal point for campus activities. Shade trees are dispersed about the plaza, providing shade and wind screening. Seating options include both benches and seat walls, and the area provides a prime opportunity to integrate public art into the landscape.
Completed in 2021
Design for Flexible Uses
At the heart of the plaza, a spacious, shaded amphitheater with stepped seating overlooks the radial open lawn—creating a dynamic venue for everything from graduation ceremonies to the college’s popular Summer Concert Series.
Photo Credit: Doug Zimmerman
Aerial of native plant garden seating nodes
Shaded outdoor study area adjacent to library includes infinity fountain water feature
Informal seating area at the plaza's edge
Infinity fountain water feature shaded by dappled canopy
Main shade canopy over outdoor amphitheater
Vibrant signage provides a strong entrance to the plaza