A new site plan for Biosphere 2 will create a world class experience for visitors who will see cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art technologies geared to sustainability. (Lori Stiles)
University of Arizona landscape architecture graduate students will present four competing master site plans for Biosphere 2 at the campus near Oracle, Ariz., on Friday, Oct. 24.
Students were asked to develop plans that reflect the UA's interest in building on Biosphere 2's history of innovation. Goals include developing the site to create a world-class experience for visitors that showcases cutting edge research and state-of-the-art sustainable technologies that can be used to responsibly manage the facility in the future, said Hassan Hijazi, Biosphere 2 director of external affairs and development.
The plans were developed for the UA's annual Landscape Architecture Student Design Contest, part of the Master of Landscape Architecture program directed by Ronald R. Stoltz and taught by Eric Scharf of LAR 555 Landscape Construction. The UA master's-level landscape architecture program has been ranked as the top such program in the western United States.
UA Biosphere 2 managers want a new site plan "that allows for the greatest possible interaction between researchers and the general public" who visit the one-of-a-kind facility, said Biosphere 2 sustainability coordinator Nathan Allen. "We also want a site plan that reflects the type of research being done here, and that we're working toward doing research on sustainability in the most sustainable way possible," Allen said.
Biosphere 2 is famous for its 3.14-acre glass-enclosed "living laboratory," originally built to be an artificial closed ecological system.
The UA began working to develop Biosphere 2 as a center for research, teaching and public outreach education on global climate change, environmental water and energy problems and other critical issues when it took over management in July 2007.
The students will share $2,000 in prize money. They will present their plans at an award ceremony and reception in the Biosphere 2 Planning Center after judging concludes at 5 p.m. on Oct. 24. For more information about the reception, contact Candace Crossey at 520-626-4092.
Biosphere 2 is located on Oracle Road (Highway 77) at Mile Post 96.5.
Hassan Hijazi
520-626-5888
Nate Allen
520-838-6168
Ronald R. Stoltz
520-626-7730
Eric Scharf
520-884-7911