Innovation & Discovery Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Innovation & Discovery Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

When s55 explored the site of their second project with Mitchell | Giurgola Architects at Stony Brook University campus, they realized the site’s huge erratic rocks, well-drained slope, sandy loam and existing forest community were part of an undisturbed glacial landscape. Since the Center would be placed within this untouched woodland, sassafras55 was able to base their plant selections on the existing habitat of the forest community. The stockpiled sandy loam topsoil and excavated subsoil were perfect to reuse without amendments after testing, with no need to remove and then replace the soil at considerable expense.

The swales that decrease runoff and direct stormwater away from the building into rain gardens at the bottom of the slope are filled with plants adapted to the moister soil found there, adding to the site’s plant diversity.

In addition to significant cost savings on the soils, s55 was able to use the glacier’s large erratics as part of the landscape design rather than removing them from the site. Not only did this save money but they contribute to the sense of place, already enhanced by the native plant species.

Project team

Client: SUNY Stony Brook Office of Capital Planning
Architects/Team Lead: Mitchell | Giurgola Architects, LLP
Civil Engineers: Langan Engineering
Structural Engineer: Ysrael A. Seinuk, P.C.
Landscape Construction: Steven Dubner Landscape