Cornell’s buildings and public spaces directly communicate the university’s commitment to promote visionary ideas. They must reinforce the clear order of the overall campus plan and contribute to its incremental realization. As individual compositions, buildings and public spaces must exemplify excellence in design that enhance the experience of students, faculty and staff.
The mission of the Office of Planning and Project Development is to promote and implement building and campus development strategies that maintain and elevate the quality of Cornell’s built and natural environment. Additionally, it is charged with ensuring that capital projects are well justified and represent a wise investment of the University’s resources. This stewardship ensures that Cornell’s comprehensive master plan and overall architectural quality objectives are maintained in the development of building and landscape projects by the integration of guiding principles at each project’s inception that promote proper siting, massing, budgeting and excellent design. To ensure this integration, all new major capital projects will be initially developed by the Office of Planning and Project Development and transferred to the Office of Design and Construction, Contract Colleges, Real Estate, or other project execution office once a schematic design is approved by the Trustees.
The integration of planning and architecture is necessary since the placement, massing and articulation of buildings have significant and incremental effect on the overall campus design. Planning and architecture advocacy at the inception of projects ensures that projects will be properly scoped, budgeted, sited, and designed.