Ringling Campus Master Plan
![Palm trees are seen outside of a building at Ringling School of Art and Design](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header.jpeg 2400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header-170x113.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header-80x53.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1_Ringling-MasterPlan-header-1600x1067.jpeg 1600w)
Since its founding in 1931 by circus impresario and avid art collector John Ringling, Ringling College of Art and Design has grown to be one of the nation’s preeminent art and design schools. Ayers Saint Gross has worked with the college for more than a decade on a series of planning and design projects to align its physical campus with its mission and creative spirit. The master plan establishes a vision for campus development that serves as a flexible framework to address the complexities of expanding programs, an increasing residential population, and sustainable development with the surrounding community.
![The proposed campus plan for Ringling College of Art and Design](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-Illustrative.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-Illustrative-1536x1187.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-Illustrative-170x131.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-Illustrative-80x62.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-Illustrative-400x309.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-Illustrative-600x464.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-Illustrative-800x618.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-Illustrative-1200x927.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-Illustrative-1600x1236.jpeg 1600w)
Ringling is located on a historic site bounded by Whitaker Bayou, a tributary to Sarasota Bay that winds along the eastern edge of campus. The plan draws inspiration from the landscape and articulates enhancements that celebrate the Bayou experience and expand its ecological habitat.
![The Ringling Master Plan Concept](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-concept.jpeg 1225w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-concept-170x110.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-concept-80x52.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-concept-400x259.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-concept-600x388.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-concept-800x517.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-concept-1200x776.jpeg 1200w)
![Identity at edges, Intuitive pedestrian axis, and Embrace the Bayou](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-principles.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-principles-1536x738.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-principles-170x82.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-principles-80x38.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-principles-400x192.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-principles-600x288.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-principles-800x384.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-principles-1200x577.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-principles-1600x769.jpeg 1600w)
Three primary objectives guide campus development: improve identity along the campus edge, establish a cohesive open space network and clearly defined campus core, and embrace the bayou as a defining campus asset.
![A Ringling plan diagram looking at the campus landscape](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape-1.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape-1-1536x972.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape-1-170x108.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape-1-80x51.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape-1-400x253.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape-1-600x380.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape-1-800x506.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape-1-1200x759.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape-1-1600x1012.jpeg 1600w)
![Landscape master plan](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape2.jpeg 1224w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape2-170x110.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape2-80x52.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape2-400x259.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape2-600x388.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape2-800x518.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-landscape2-1200x776.jpeg 1200w)
Landscape Planning and Design
The campus landscape is a defining feature of the collegiate experience. Improvements enhance wayfinding and branding, create meaningful gathering places, and strengthen place through consistent materials and detailing. The plan’s landscape goals include celebrating the local experience through a palette of plants unique to the Florida landscape, investing in iconic outdoor spaces, and embracing streets as a key component of the open space network.
![A diagram showing the Ringling Master Plan Artswalk](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk1.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk1-1536x1091.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk1-170x121.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk1-80x57.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk1-400x284.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk1-600x426.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk1-800x568.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk1-1200x852.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk1-1600x1136.jpeg 1600w)
Arts Walk
A clearly defined Arts Walk connects existing interior galleries with a redistributed layout of exterior sculptures. The choreographed experience links the central campus spine and bayou edge with lateral cross-campus connections. A unifying palette of materials and kit-of-parts approach provides flexibility for varying site conditions.
![A diagram showing the Ringling Master Plan Artswalk](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk2.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk2-1536x1005.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk2-170x111.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk2-80x52.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk2-400x262.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk2-600x393.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk2-800x524.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk2-1200x785.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-artswalk2-1600x1047.jpeg 1600w)
Ringling’s location on low-lying lands next to Whitaker Bayou, defines much of the campus’ eastern edge, and Sarasota Bay makes it susceptible to the potential impacts of sea-level rise. The plan guides a holistic approach to stormwater management and establishes a robust green infrastructure network across campus.
![Holistic approach to stormwater management and green infrastructure network](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-wetland.jpeg 1224w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-wetland-170x110.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-wetland-80x52.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-wetland-400x259.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-wetland-600x388.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-wetland-800x518.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-wetland-1200x776.jpeg 1200w)
![Ringling MasterPlan Legend](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-legend.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-legend-120x140.jpeg 120w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-legend-69x80.jpeg 69w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-legend-343x400.jpeg 343w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-legend-514x600.jpeg 514w)
Since the original 2011 campus master plan, more than a dozen major projects have been implemented, transforming the campus into a vibrant art community. Ayers Saint Gross designed Bridge Hall, Greensboro Hall, and the Cunniffe Commons dining facility.
![An exterior shot of students playing ping pong at Bridge Hall](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridge.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridge-1536x1153.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridge-170x128.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridge-80x60.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridge-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridge-600x450.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridge-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridge-1200x901.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridge-1600x1201.jpeg 1600w)
![Students walking through a landscaped walkway in front of Greensboro Hall](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-greensboro.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-greensboro-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-greensboro-170x113.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-greensboro-80x53.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-greensboro-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-greensboro-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-greensboro-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-greensboro-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-greensboro-1600x1066.jpeg 1600w)
![Oak trees in front of Bridge Hall](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridgeoaks.jpeg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridgeoaks-1536x1187.jpeg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridgeoaks-170x131.jpeg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridgeoaks-80x62.jpeg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridgeoaks-400x309.jpeg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridgeoaks-600x464.jpeg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridgeoaks-800x618.jpeg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridgeoaks-1200x927.jpeg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ringling-MasterPlan-bridgeoaks-1600x1236.jpeg 1600w)
![Interior view of study nooks on the ground floor of Greensboro Hall at Ringling College of Art...](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study.jpg 2250w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study-170x113.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study-80x53.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study-400x267.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study-600x400.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study-800x533.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3_Ringling_Greensboro-Study-1600x1067.jpg 1600w)