The Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education is a 167,947 sq ft medical education building that houses programs from the Wake Forest School of Medicine. The building—a former R J Reynolds Tobacco Co. Manufacturing plant—allows medical students to prepare for real-life experiences in the most modern settings available for clinics and exam rooms. Wake Downtown is a 115,303 sq ft STEM-centric urban satellite campus anchored by Wake Forest University undergraduate programs in engineering and biomedical sciences. Wake Downtown provides undergraduate students with an environment for collaboration and further learning experiences in one of the fastest-growing innovation districts in the country. We worked closely with the owner and architect on the upper and lower plaza designs ensuring each detail—pavers, planters, landscape plans, tables, benches, etc.—created warm, welcoming spaces for visitors, students, and staff. Great thought ensured all materials selected not only meet aesthetic requirements but also utilitarian requirements: heavy equipment must be able to access the patios when work is needed on the buildings. Utilities were seamlessly integrated into the architecture and landscape making them virtually hidden from the eye. A secondary entrance, incorporating former rail loading docks, was added on the Long Branch Trail side of the building bringing connection to the greater community.