The ‘Artists’ Backyard’ Takes Shape

What was once an anonymous thicket separating Turlington and Owens residence halls is quickly evolving into an ecologically-innovative haven for NC State students and staff.

Ground was broken July 6 on Phase 1 of ‘The Artists’ Backyard.’ The five-year project is a partnership between NC State’s Department of Landscape Architecture and University Housing.

‘The Artists’ Backyard’ is a unique living/learning opportunity for NC State students.  Andy Fox’s LA 500 class handled the research and design over the fall and spring semesters. Currently, Fox, two teaching assistants and 20 undergrad and graduate students are building Phase 1 with ribbon cutting scheduled for Friday, August 19.  Future LA 500 students will complete Phases 2-5.

Kyle Stalls, a third-year Landscape Architecture student and co-designer of Phase I, said, “This has been a unique opportunity to take something from theory to reality.”

The project blog is being updated frequently by students, visit for time lapse photos and more.

Read the full story, and see a slide show, here.