UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
N A V I G A T I O N D I G I T A L L I B R A R Y
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - 30 Year Master Plan (Tilton & O'Donnell) [PAGE 236]

Caption: Book - 30 Year Master Plan (Tilton & O'Donnell)
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230

Appendix B r *

The Problem The astounding popularity of college and university training throughout the country is compelling all institutions for higher learning to look forward to ever increasing numbers of students and to make for them ever larger provisions in land, buildings, and equipment. The need of a comprehensive scheme of architectural development was readily recognized by your Board as the only means of avoiding haphazard growth, duplication of effort and expense, and disharmony of result. The Piatt plan was obtained embodying a conception of great dignity and of majestic scale, based upon sound American architectural tradition. This plan brings into organic relationship the old Campus with the new, and endeavors to establish a sound method of physical expansion maintaining order, balance, unity, and, therefore, beauty. The landscape setting of such an architectural conception is of the greatest importance. Charles F. McKim used to say that architecture is best enjoyed through trees. In such a problem, planting should not merely be an external decoration of buildings, but should emphasize the plan in majesty, in scale, in serenity, and in comfort. The plain of Illinois upon which the University is built dictated to Charles Piatt a formal plan, the grandeur of which will be realized more and more as additional structures are built. To contribute by planting to the enhancement of that grandeur and to the maintenance of the dignity, unity, and effectiveness of the formal plan, is in our opinion, the achievement which the landscape architect must endeavor to obtain. The Design On the basis of the above-stated principles we are submitting to you a set of plans which you will find to embody a very simple scheme of planting design. We have endeavored, first of all, to set all present and future buildings on appropriate broad terraces, defined by parapet walls, hedges, posts, etc., so that a well defined architectural line be established along the malls and avenues. These terraces should be free from small-scale planting, such as shrubs and herbaceous plants, and the new buldings should not be covered with clinging vines which, in a very short time, will hide completely their architectural beauty. Vines may be used as accents over the doorways and windows only if they are of a sketchy, open type, such as Wisteria, Actinidia, Celastrus scandens, etc. As accents to the main entrances, trees on either side may be used, if they are susceptible of control, such as Juniperus virginiana or Thuya occidentalis wareans or Taxus cuspidata. But, in the main, the terraces should be an expanse of green interrupted only by necessary walks with benches alongside of them and trees, such as