Techniques to soften the visual impact of long or high slope banks include terracing, varying slope heights, contour grading, rounding tops and bottoms of slopes, and screening with landscaping. Fire management requirements adjacent to natural open space should be determined in coordination with the Campus Fire Marshal. For trees to be preserved, grading should meet the existing ground level of the trees, or properly designed tree wells should be provided as part of the design concept. Existing trees to be saved should be carefully protected and maintained during construction. Similarly, the grading concept should recognize the existing grades of site features to be retained, such as walls, areaways, and covered walkways.
Contoured slopes are generally preferable to retaining walls, space permitting.
Where retaining walls are necessary, they should be incorporated into other design features, such as stairs, ramps, and planters. The grading concept should be coordinated with site drainage, to insure positive drainage. Grading which necessitates blasting should be avoided if possible, due to vibration impacts on nearby scientific instrumentation and facilities. Slopes should be designed to facilitate surface drainage, limit soil erosion, and avoid slides and instability. Site features planned for preservation, such as significant rock outcrops or mature trees, should be protected.