With No Space on the Ground, Marymount Manhattan College Went Up

The Lowerre Family Terrace, at Marymount Manhattan College, is a 5,000-square-foot space for contemplation. (Marymount Manhattan College photo)

Urban campuses are particularly tight on space — and for most of them, a spacious new grassy quad is simply out of the question.

But in New York City, a whole segment of life happens on rooftops, so it makes sense that Marymount Manhattan College should create a new quad on top of a 1929 building.

The Lowerre Family Terrace, as the college calls its 5,000-square-foot quad, might not have the verdant expanses of a traditional campus lawn — heck, there’s not even a lawn. But the terrace does have some features that might take students away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There is a water wall, designed by New York architect Lori Kupfer, for ambiance; a trellis with heaters that might allow people to stand outside in cold weather; and garden areas. The quad also features an unusual seating area, shown in the picture on the right.

The quad project connects two buildings and is part of $25-million campaign for renovation and construction, financial-aid, and academic projects at the college.