Discover the lush, landscape-inspired design of the UofL campus planned for downtown

New renderings offer an updated look at a major investment in downtown Louisville.

The New Vision of Health campus of the University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute is one step closer to major construction at the corner of West Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Fifth Street.

The 138,000-square-foot expansion of UofL’s existing Envirome Institute is intended to be “a beacon of the University of Louisville’s presence in the city and downtown district,” wrote Doug Schultz of multidisciplinary design firm Sabak, Wilson & Lingo, in a September release. deposit with the city planning office.

The project reimagines and adds to the existing landscape, including the Republic Building at 427 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., the Harmony Building at 425 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd and the George Garvin Brown Garden.

Much of the project work is focused on the Harmony Building, which is expected to receive a 5-story addition totaling some 13,000 square feet on the east side of the building.

Inspired by the Kentucky River Palisades, home to steep, dramatic cliffs, gorges and outcroppings, the east façade is designed to resemble a “lush cliffside retreat clad in a system of concrete panels,” Schultz wrote.

Renderings show a multi-level terraced building facade that mimics a cliff covered in greenery.

This design should make it possible to capture almost all of the rainwater, which will be stored, treated and used as the main source of irrigation for the site’s green spaces.

The project also expands the existing green space to the east of the building from approximately 8,000 square feet to nearly 30,000 square feet. This green space will include terraces, facade planters on structures and green roofs.

The campus is intended to support scientific research and Envirome’s work around the creative and sustainable redevelopment of urban centers, both with a health lens, according to the project filed with the Louisville Metropolitan Government.

The University of Louisville first announced plans to create the New Vision of Health campus in May 2022. It said at the time that the campus was made possible by Brown’s $30 million gift on 20 years to support the Envirome Institute and rent-free use. buildings, which are owned by Brown (a $17 million in-kind donation).

Other aspects of the project include vegetated curb extensions on West Muhammad Ali Boulevard, which will allow for a dedicated drop-off space for visitors.

Design work on the Fifth Street side of the project aims to improve the pedestrian experience and connect to the ongoing work transforming Founders Square as part of the Trager Microforest project.

This effort involves reinventing the public square as a lush wooded space with seating and pedestrian paths. While beautifying the area, the project also aims to provide insight into the impact of urban green spaces on human health and the environment. Construction began earlier this year and continues into the fall.

Construction plans for the site are still under review by the city, and the project will also need approval from the district’s Downtown Development Review Committee, which ensures compliance with downtown development -city.

Contact growth and development reporter Matthew Glowicki at [email protected] or 502-582-4000.

This article originally appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: “Lush Cliffside Retreat. » The Last Look at UofL’s New Downtown Campus