The lawn was a compromise. Billings’ personal choice was wild and wavy grass, but it’s not his campus, and college students do flop. Today, the deep green field of lawn gives way to knolls encircling the western and northern perimeters. Billings created these knolls using soil excavated during construction of the building. Then came trees -- lots of them. “It’s always so hot,” he said. “I thought, ‘Why not create a forest?’ Nobody said no, so I just kept going. I put in nearly 180 trees. All native.” (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
All around the site, trees including sycamore, ash, palo verde and Chinese pistache have been chosen for lacy foliage, summer flowers, striking bark and autumn color. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Since the drought-tolerant landscaping was installed, water consumption for irrigation has dropped from almost 9.5 million gallons a year to just shy of 900,000. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
The mix of succulents lend color and texture to the landscape. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
