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campus that students, faculty and visitors can enjoy daily," Davidsohn said. Recent projects throughout the campus include the installation of the first rain garden on campus in 2010. The bio-retention swale is 120 feet long by 25 feet wide and included plantings of 400 plugs, several dozen grasses and woody plants, and several weirs to impound stormwater and allow for infiltration. The project fit a need for the university and gave the students an opportunity to experience the design, coordination and implementation of a unique project. Construction was a big success and the project is still used today as a teaching tool. More recently, the UMASS students worked with the University Physi- cal Plant staff and landscape architecture departments on a renovation of the school's Visitors Center courtyard. The area was comprised of concrete pavers that had been in place for well over 20 years. Although it remained structurally sound, the area was in need of an update, as it is highly visible and used regularly by students, faculty, and is a meeting place for potential incoming student tours. Davidsohn and his students worked in coordination with other univer- sity departments to develop a design for this area. The team crafted a list of project goals, and determined that any solution must consider aesthetics, functionality and sustainability: 1. The area is highly visible, so it must fit within the surrounding campus design. 2. The area must be serviced by snowplows and other maintenance vehicles, and must be durable enough to support such equipment. 3. Standing water caused by runoff from nearby areas must be eliminated. 4. The University's commitment to sustainable practices should be incorporated into the project. After reviewing the available options, Professor Mike Davidsohn and his students chose permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP). Made of durable concrete, they are an excellent choice for many reasons. Like in- terlocking concrete pavers, permeable concrete can support vehicular load- ing, withstand snowplows in winter months, and are available in a variety of colors and shapes. PICP offers the additional benefit of allowing rainwater to be collected and filtered into a detention area below the pavement, which is comprised of crushed angular washed stone, satisfying the project's hydrological and structural components. This is an especially important project for these stu- dents, as the use of permeable pavements is growing rapidly nationally and is an excellent opportunity for landscape contractors. Hardscapes PAVERS•MASONRY•BLOCKS•ROCKS (Continued from page 8) 10 LC DBM DBM LC Above: In coordination with the University, the students chose a granite blend color for the field, a charcoal border and a custom UMASS Maroon blend (Pavestone) for the inlaid logo. The students installed the custom cut University logo pavers themselves. Top: With the assistance of the manufacturer and a local engineer, the students evaluated the soils, existing conditions and other factors to determine that an 18-inch base would be required with no sub drains. The sub-base is comprised of 10 inches of #2 stone, six inches of #57 followed by a two-inch bedding layer of #9 stone. 008-010,013.indd 10 3/26/14 2:37 PM