Eckerd College is a small private college on a 188-acre campus located on the Gulf of Mexico, serving 1850 residential students. Mahan Rykiel was part of a design team commissioned to prepare a 10-year Master Plan. The College has a strong environmental science program and the Master Plan guided development in ways that supported that overall curriculum. Goals for the Plan included:
• Natural landscapes with fewer manicure lawns
• A focus on pedestrian-oriented circulation
• Planning for specific projects- student housing, a library and recreation center

MRA worked closely with the architects to site new facilities, relocate parking, and better organize the overall campus. Three distinct districts emerged – Academic, Transitional, and Residential – areas that provide a clear framework for future growth and development of the campus.

Following the completion of the Master Plan, MRA continued work at Eckerd with full landscape architectural services for the Armacost Library.