Blockley Hall at the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects was selected by the University of Pennsylvania to reconfigure and improve bicycle parking within the campus southeastern quadrant. Previous bicycle parking had been distributed ad hoc around building entrances and a variety of bicycle rack types lacked organization and inhibited pedestrian circulation. Bicycle theft had also become an issue as many racks were situated beyond the range of existing security cameras. Utilizing a former construction trailer site along Currie Boulevard, the centrally located bicycle corral provides secure parking for over two hundred bicycles. In keeping with the University’s self-imposed sustainability requirements, the new corral design features permeable paving, rain gardens and native plantings, all of which help to improve drainage and eliminate flooding and muddy areas. Benches within the plantings provide an interlude from the busy street. Circulation was organized to balance the need for maximum capacity with high volume traffic while careful consideration was given to security camera placement providing the site with complete video coverage.