The
Patagonia, Inc. Campus, a 3.2 acre site with a variety of commercial,
industrial and retail structures, is located near the intersection of Highway
101 and Highway 33, near the Ventura River mouth. It includes the company’s
oldest retail store and original blacksmith shop. In 2011, Patagonia’s
sustainability team hired Meg West to create a long-term
holistic master plan for the campus landscape, which included design
recommendations for improving sustainability, circulation, and aesthetics.
Meg proposed a scheme that streamlined vehicular circulation and parking, increased permeable surfacing, improved pedestrian and bicycle circulation, and created informal and flexible gathering spaces for employees. Strategies for conserving water and improving stormwater management include infiltration drywells, drip irrigation, permeable pavers, and bioswales. At the Crystal Palace, nicknamed by ice climbers, drain inlets and underground piping capture the roof drainage and convey the runoff to an infiltration drywell located within a regraded landscape island. A central gathering space was created for the campus which attracts birds, butterflies, and people. The main boardwalk, bioswale, and seating is located in front of Patagonia’s reception area and is used heavily by employees, their children, and visitors. Flexible seating and colorful tiles create an informal atmosphere. Pedestrian accessibility was improved, with a number of new permeable walkways (sand-colored Hydro-flo pavers), a raised boardwalk (walnut-colored Trex), and recycled furnishings (up-cycled picnic tables.) The campus continues to be maintained organically. Read Patagonia's blog about the project here.
Meg proposed a scheme that streamlined vehicular circulation and parking, increased permeable surfacing, improved pedestrian and bicycle circulation, and created informal and flexible gathering spaces for employees. Strategies for conserving water and improving stormwater management include infiltration drywells, drip irrigation, permeable pavers, and bioswales. At the Crystal Palace, nicknamed by ice climbers, drain inlets and underground piping capture the roof drainage and convey the runoff to an infiltration drywell located within a regraded landscape island. A central gathering space was created for the campus which attracts birds, butterflies, and people. The main boardwalk, bioswale, and seating is located in front of Patagonia’s reception area and is used heavily by employees, their children, and visitors. Flexible seating and colorful tiles create an informal atmosphere. Pedestrian accessibility was improved, with a number of new permeable walkways (sand-colored Hydro-flo pavers), a raised boardwalk (walnut-colored Trex), and recycled furnishings (up-cycled picnic tables.) The campus continues to be maintained organically. Read Patagonia's blog about the project here.
Meg was the lead designer and project manager at Patagonia while an employee of Arcadia Studio.