an aerial shot of the University of Louisville’s J.D. Nichols Campus Plaza

An Urban Oasis at the University of Louisville

University of Louisville — J.D. Nichols Campus Plaza

Client

NTS Development

Location

Louisville, KY

Expertise

Civil Engineering & Landscape Architecture

Services

Landscape Architecture

In partnership with Booker Design Collaborative and NTS Development, Gresham Smith provided civil engineering services for the J.D. Nichols Plaza, a park-like public space on the University of Louisville’s J.D. Nichols Campus for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. With fun, user-friendly features, the urban infill project creates a pedestrian connection from Floyd Street to South Preston Street, between Market Street and Jefferson Street, transforming a blank courtyard into an urban oasis for visitors to gather, eat and relax.

a cornhole board and a bench outside the University of Louisville’s J.D. Nichols Campus Plaza

Fun User-Friendly Features

With a variety of amenities, including outdoor ping-pong tables, concrete cornhole boards, bistro and picnic tables and bike racks, the plaza is a much-needed respite for students, downtown workers and tourists.

a shot of grass and metal poles outside of the University of Louisville’s J.D. Nichols Campus Plaza

The Site’s Slope Challenges

The project was constructed between an existing office building and parking garage, with two future office buildings planned in the area. The site’s grading design was complex, but in the end we kept the plaza accessible while including all of the outdoor amenities originally planned for the space.

permeable pavers and a table outside of the University of Louisville’s J.D. Nichols Campus Plaza

Sustainable Stormwater Management

Stormwater from the site drains through the permeable pavers and into the gravel base below, which reduces the impact to the surrounding combined sewer system.