Cornell University's Mann Library Entrance

Mann Library is located on the Agriculture quadrangle at Cornell University and houses the primary collection of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Library were interested in improving and replacing the landscape area along the entrance of Mann Library due to the impact that prior construction has had on the site. In the fall of 2009, the "Creating the Urban Eden" class, jointly sponsored by the Departments of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, took on this site as their year-long project. The class followed the process of site assessment,design, plant selection, soil modification and installation. Designs created in the fall were evaluated by a team of campus stakeholders, modified as necessary, and then installed during the month of April 2010. Although the class originated before SITES guidelines were established,its principles fell directly in line with creating landscapes that enhanced ecosystem benefits such as increased soil health, social gathering spaces and healthy plant material. photo by: Nina Bassuk