Western Technical College - Integrated Technology Center Courtyard

A series of stormwater best management practices, including permeable pavement, soil quality restoration, rain gardens and native plantings to remove over 640 pounds of sediment a year, resulting in a 25% reduction in runoff for the 10 year storm and over 1,600,000 gallons of water infiltrated per year.

This project replaces an under utilized and outdated pedestrian corridor, with a pedestrian courtyard that integrates functional and beautiful pathways for students, faculty, staff and other community members , connecting them to their campus destinations. The courtyard connects people to nature by embracing an indigenous ecotype of the region, the tamarack bog, a part of the Driftless biome of southwest Wisconsin. This new outdoor area and walkway combines a unique blend of native plants, indigenous materials and open spaces to create a “campus sponge” and a living laboratory that teaches students about their local natural environment.