The redesign of the Robert B. Church parking garage on the University of Tennessee campus reclaims the plaza level in order to preserve the existing structure and strengthen the function and circulation of the upper plaza.
            

The campus master plan targets the pedestrian mall as the fundamental axis of foot traffic and aims to continue the path via land bridges to the historic “Hill” where the college originated.  The rooftop of the parking garage is seen as a vital part of this continuation.  Instead of removing the garage and building in its place, different designs and concepts were explored in order to adapt the garage structure to pull students through campus and provide a common meeting place away from vehicular traffic. 

Below the plaza on Phillip Fulmer Way, the entry level is maintained for parking garage access, but two levels of parking are being removed to enclose existing exterior atms inside a sheltered interior that also offers campus information and maps.  By maintaining the garage beneath as parking, the scheme eliminates the need for spaces in the future garage across the street. 
            

The scheme uses a ramping structure on the plaza level to house a café and student lounge.  The ramp leads to a roof-top access, allowing for beautiful views of the stadium and the historic “Hill”. The plaza level can now function as a meeting place, quick food stop, and viewing platform, all the while strengthening campus circulation.

Utilizing skills in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, and Indesign.