SWA Group: www.swagroup.com

Soka University of America

SWA provided master planning and landscape

architectural services for Soka University of America, a

new 103-acre campus for a private liberal arts university.

The design takes advantage of a beautiful site high

above two major canyons and surrounded on three

sides by permanent open space, evoking the ideal

academic village and the beauties of a Tuscan hill town.

The ecologically sustainable plan includes a compact

development envelope that minimizes site disturbance,

maximizes pedestrian circulation, and reduces the

impact of utility installation. Careful building placement

minimized the need for ventilation systems and artificial

lighting. More than half the site is allocated to natural

areas and open space, and landscape features includes

a formal lake, lily ponds, orchards, a perimeter bike trail,

and a series of outdoor plazas and courtyards for public

gatherings.

LocationAliso Viejo, California

ClientPfeiffer Partners Architects, Inc.

Soka UniversitySWA Scope

Land & site planning,Landscape master planning,

Landscape architectural servicesArchitects

Pfeiffer Partners Architects, Inc.Summit Architects

AwardsASLA National Honor Award

ASLA Southern California Chapter Merit AwardGreen/LEED-Rated Design Elements

The project is registered for LEED NC certification