Skip to Content
suggested searches
close

Bridgewater State University
Campus Master Plan

This ten-year master plan clears the path for every BSU student to thrive—by removing physical barriers, elevating wellness and belonging, and investing in spaces that reflect the university’s enduring commitment to equity, sustainability, and inclusive excellence.

Completing a campus that makes education accessible to everyone

At Bridgewater State University—the largest campus in the Massachusetts State University System—a deep commitment to diversity anchors its learning culture and enrollment strategy. Our campus master plan advances that mission by eliminating the campus’s remaining accessibility barriers, creating inclusive environments that support divergent learning styles within comfortable settings, and expanding spaces for student cultural groups. Guided by an equity lens, the plan prioritizes investments that most meaningfully support those with the greatest need—ensuring every student feels a sense of belonging on campus.

Our planning team engaged hundreds of BSU’s diverse students to understand what they value and what they want to see improve on their campus.
We met students in a mix of settings including campus cafes, outdoor events, commuter parking, and focus groups.
At least for me personally as a commuter, my biggest problem is socializing on campus… I feel like if clubs were more easily accessible it would improve my experience.
StudentBridgewater State University

Adapting buildings to achieve higher standards

In the decade ahead, BSU needs better—not bigger or more—spaces. Renovations will play a central role in advancing that strategic mission. The plan identifies two full-building transformations: one to create a consolidated home for the School of Education, and the other to reimagine the main library and classroom building with modern spaces for instruction, research, and study.

The reimagined Maxwell library clusters key functions and improves campus connections.

Smaller, high-impact interventions include transforming an outdated gym into an accessible hub for athletics, recreation, and student life, and introducing a multi-purpose lounge that creates a heart for the humanities.

A new pavilion provides a much-needed collaboration center for humanities programs.

New outdoor seating supports students’ desire to gather in green spaces.

University Park Grove becomes a destination with seating, a walkway, and artwork.

Seating, a raised “traffic table,” and an outdoor classroom transform Park Ave into Park Square.

Drawing community and wellness from green spaces

Students appreciate BSU’s many outdoor green spaces but want features that make them places to spend quality time. Our plan turns six outdoor spaces into real destinations with semi-enclosed seating, overhead lighting, expanded tree canopy, calming walks, culturally-expressive art, outdoor classrooms, and other features that support student community and personal wellness.

New outdoor seating with a sense of enclosure—formed by low walls and plantings, tree branches and trellis canopies—responds to student desire to spend more time together in green spaces.

Streetscapes for Students

Burrill Avenue becomes a true university streetscape with sidewalks buffered from traffic, expanded tree canopy, and BSU branding.

Increasing comfort and efficiency while reducing carbon

Our master plan brings BSU’s recent campus decarbonization study to life, targeting envelope and HVAC upgrades in over 30 buildings and installing geoexchange bore fields. Energy-focused upgrades are paired with user-centered improvements—such as enhanced teaching and student life spaces—to deliver more impactful, cost-effective projects.

Project impact
  • 100%

    Accessible campus upon completion of master plan

  • 1.5 miles

    Of town streets improved for pedestrian safety and coherence with campus sense of place

Goody Clancy’s work for BSU has been fantastic!!!
Karen JasonBSU Vice President of Operations

For more information on this page:

Share this page:

Project Team

Ellana, Inc.

Ground, Inc.

ML Consulting

Nitsch Engineering

Rickes Associates

Related Projects

Back to top