case study: Mainstreet District

With more than 42,000 students, the University of Cincinnati (UC) needed to create a pedestrian-friendly place on campus to support social activities among students such as meal times, study sessions, and entertainment activities. The space needed to serve as the “heart of student life district” on UC’s campus.

Through the use of unique spaces and buildings, Kolar worked with UC to develop the MainStreet District. The District welcomes visitors and students with appropriate scale, texture, color, and identity. The placemaking for MainStreet uses landmarks, paths, and wayfinding elements in the landscape to create the experience. Each element considers the placement of building mass in relation to the pedestrian street, creating a sunlight-filled space for people to sit, see, and be seen.