Image Gallery - Master Plan - University of Rochester

Explore photos capturing the master planning process in action, including the framework plan, community engagement, the consultant selection process, and a history of campus development at the University of Rochester.

Developing the framework plan

**CONSIDER THE OPTIONS:** Design and architecture consultants share preliminary framework scenarios with the Executive Steering Committee.

**NARROW IT DOWN:** Design and architecture consultants guide a conversation with Executive Steering Committee members to inform preliminary framework direction.

**PUT IT TOGETHER:** Members of the master planning Executive Steering Committee discuss preliminary framework scenarios with the design and architecture consultants.

GATHER AROUND: University of Rochester community members at Meliora Weekend view a poster presentation of the preliminary framework plan and share feedback with the design and architecture consultants.

2024 community engagement

**PUT IT IN FOCUS:** Student volunteers participate in a series of three master plan focus group workshops held across the University on September 25 and 26, 2024.

**CALLING ALL STUDENTS:** Digital signage promoting student participation in master plan focus group workshops held across the University on September 25 and 26, 2024.

University community members participated in a series of pop-up events in Wilson Commons and Café 601 in April 2024 designed to gather feedback and promote participation in online surveys and assessments. More than 9,300 completed surveys were received from students, staff, and faculty across the online mapping activity and the parking and transportation, dining, and housing surveys.

**MAP QUEST:** Two students map their travel routes with colored strings on a campus map displayed in Wilson Commons.

**POINT IT OUT**: Three students map their travel routes with colored strings on a campus map displayed in Wilson Commons.

**BRING IT TO LIFE**: Close up of map displaying bus and walking routes at a pop-up event in Wilson Commons.

**MARK IT UP:** A student places colored markers on a map displayed in Wilson Commons to indicate his transportation needs.

**EXTRA, EXTRA:** Flyer promoting student attendance at pop-up events held April 17 and 25, 2024.

2023 consultant selection

The consultant selection process led by the master planning Executive Steering Committee included daylong planning Charrettes with each of five firms to gather input, generate preliminary ideas, assess working style, and identify the best fit.

**WORKING TOGETHER:** Members of the master planning Executive Steering Committee meeting with design and architecture consultants.

**SKETCH PAD:** Close up of sketches drawn over a map of the University’s campuses.

**LET’S DISCUSS:** Members of the master planning Executive Committee seated at a conference table with a campus map, sticky notes, and markers viewing a presentation on a screen.

**THINKING THINGS THROUGH:** Members of the master planning Executive Committee meeting with design and architecture consultants, seated before a 3-D replica of University campuses.

History of campus development

Sketch of the University Master Plan including building locations from the corner of Prince Street and College Avenue to the corner of Goodman Street and University Avenue, prepared by Heins and Lafarge in 1904. — **WHERE WE STARTED:** The 1905 University Master Plan. The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) was placed on the site of the proposed auditorium. Dormitories would not be built until 1914.

An artist’s rendering of the front entrance of Memorial Art Gallery. — **MAG:** An artist’s rendering of Memorial Art Gallery (MAG). The gallery opened in 1913, made possible by a gift from Emily Sibley Watson.

Black and white photo of the front of the Eastman School of music. — **EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC:** In 1918, George Eastman offered Rush Rhees, the third president of the University of Rochester, a school of music which opened in 1921; its first concert was held in 1922.

1930s black and white aerial photo of the University of Rochester campus. — **EARLY DAYS:** The University of Rochester campus in the early 1930s, comprising approximately 25 acres.

Black and white aerial photo of URMC, medical school and nursing school. — **URMC:** The new medical school, hospital and nursing school in its current location. The decision was made in the early 1920s to move the campus to the site that was the original Oak Hill Country Club.

Sketch the proposed locations of University River Campus buildings designed in 1930 by architecture firm Gordon & Kaelber and Charles A. Platt, consulting architect. — **RIVER CAMPUS:** The 1930 Master Plan showing potential build-out to fill the site along the river. The shaded buildings were the first phase of construction completed in 1930 for a student population of 1,000.

Black and white aerial photo of the University of Rochester River Campus. — **A NEW START:** An aerial view of the University River Campus in 1935.

1935 black and white aerial photo of the University River Campus and Medical Center. — **CAMPUS AT LARGE:** An aerial view of the University River Campus and Medical Center in 1935. Includes Lehigh Valley Rail Line and Elmwood Avenue.

3-D model of the 1964 Master Plan for the University of Rochester. — **PROGRESS OVER TIME:** A new Master Plan was approved in 1964; it included a new Science complex to the south, a new student Union, multi-story parking along the cemetery and a Chapel along the river front.