Sasaki at SCUP 2025 Annual Conference
Auraria Higher Education Center Master Plan, one of this year's award-winning projects.
The Society for College and University Planning’s annual conference is an opportunity to connect with leading voices shaping the future of campuses. At this year’s conference in Hawaii, Sasaki is excited to share our work in two sessions and we’re honored to receive three SCUP awards.
On Tuesday, July 15, learn more about best practices for designing an accessible campus through the lens of our UC Berkeley Accessible Paths and Places Master Plan, led by Principal Caitlyn Clauson and Associate Principal Ian Scherling. Later in the day, join Principal Mary Anne Ocampo and Director of Sustainability Tamar Warburg as they present a deep dive into our work creating a decarbonization plan for Rice University.
This year was also a big year for awards. Three Sasaki projects will be recognized for their excellence: Xinyang University South Bay Campus Gateway Landscape, Auraria Campus Framework, and the University of British Columbia. Read more about these projects here.
Connecting the Dots: Best Practices for Creating an Accessible Campus
Tuesday, July 15, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Presented by: Humberto Castro, Senior Planner, Physical, University of California-Berkeley | Caitlyn Clauson, Principal | Campus Planner, Sasaki | Ian Scherling, Associate Principal, Landscape Architect, Sasaki
Accessibility barriers that impact user experiences and impede equal access commitments persist across campuses. Rather than address barriers in isolation, institutions must situate campus projects within a comprehensive accessibility framework. Leveraging the University of California (UC), Berkeley as a case study, this session will highlight accessible design solutions that move beyond compliance to create a wholly accessible exterior campus environment. We’ll share strategies for identifying and documenting accessibility barriers, applying and prioritizing human-centered design practices, and developing an accessibility planning process on your own campus.
Reimagining Rice: Resilient Campus Planning to Drive Change
Tuesday, July 15, 3:20 – 4:20 pm
Presented by: Emina Begovic, Associate Vice President, Rice University | Mary Anne Ocampo, Principal | Urban Designer, Sasaki | Tamar Warburg, Director of Sustainability | Associate Principal, Sasaki
Higher education has the ability to drive meaningful change through campus planning by advancing research, climate solutions, and energy transitions. This session will highlight Rice University’s strategic plan in the context of the university’s position within Houston’s Gulf Coast community and its evolving role as an energy transition hub. This integrated planning approach reimagines Rice by balancing the historic campus with 21st-century goals for research growth, decarbonization, and climate resilience. You’ll take away actionable, data-informed strategies to address resilience, navigate institutional complexity, align agendas, and build consensus for impactful, future-ready campus planning.