RDG and Western Technical College received design recognition from the Central States Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) at the annual spring conference May 5, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Recognized with a Merit Award of superior professional accomplishment, in the Design (Built) Category for the design of Cleary Courtyard in La Crosse, Wisconsin. “Cleary Courtyard has transformed our campus and has instantly become the center of campus life” said Mike Pieper Vice President of Finance and Operations “Our goal was to create a “destination” for students and community members. Cleary Courtyard is just that, a destination within our community for students and people interested in learning about sustainability and for those who just want to relax.”

Located in downtown La Crosse, the development of Cleary Courtyard transformed an underutilized space into a vibrant experience by weaving Wisconsin’s natural beauty into the heart of the historic urban campus. The project blurs the boundaries of campus landscape architecture through a juxtaposition of ecological diversity and refined urban spaces. Marking a new standard for campus development, the Courtyard has become Western’s trademark space, a favorite spot for prospective students and their parents, current students, and community members.

Cleary Courtyard has also set a new precedence for academic and municipal partnerships for stormwater management. Students and staff currently utilize the space for landscape horticulture and biology studies. Academic leaders involved with the project assisted the City of La Crosse in meeting its federally mandated National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit requirements for water quality. Finally, the work designed by landscape architects has positively affected and informed public policy and has influenced current and future stormwater design in La Crosse and other Western Technical College satellite locations across the state.