NBA’s Flamingo Crossings Village Honored at 2024 ASLA Florida Design Awards

Flamingo Crossings Village (FCV), NBA’s housing community for Walt Disney World’s College Intern Program, was recognized with an Award of Honor in the Residential Category during ASLA Florida’s 2024 Design Awards! The annual program honors landscape architecture projects that demonstrate excellence in combining environmental and artistic principles.

With 154-acres in two parcels and 3.8 million square feet of programmed space, FCV is Walt Disney World’s new home for its College Intern Program. The site plan creates a pedestrian-oriented experience for the 10,440 residents by pushing 5,247 surface parking spaces to the periphery. Taking cues from Disney Parks and Resorts, expansive exterior amenities are interwoven with lush landscaping and encompass event lawns, resort-style pools, sports courts, and indoor/outdoor spaces protected from the Florida rain.

Site plan: 154 acres across two sites with 48 buildings and residential housing for 10,440 cast members in Disney’s College Program

In early 2017, the team conducted a survey for 3,000+ program participants focused on future housing expectations and areas of improvement. Previously, Disney College Program participants were dispersed and housed in various traditional apartment communities in the area. Survey results revealed students were craving an affordable living option with unified amenities. The design team focused on creating a magical atmosphere with recreation spaces far beyond any other residential property in the country.

From a design standpoint, both campuses had to solve macro scale design issues (vehicular circulation, pedestrian movement, hierarchy of open spaces) and the more intimate elements of design (sense of arrival and placemaking). A challenge was how to make the property feel like Disney without using any intellectual property. The team made multiple trips to the parks researching hardscapes, landscapes, and space planning. Implementing such lessons in the amenity areas helped create the feel of a resort with surprise moments throughout the property tailored to its purpose of a residential campus including hidden flamingos (a play on the world-famous ‘Hidden Mickey’), exterior artwork that uniquely comes to life with shadows and sun, and lush landscaping.

The heart of each Flamingo Crossings Village site is anchored with expansive amenities that foster creativity and social interaction amongst all 10,000+ residents. The East Campus’ community center and educational building are joined by an open air ‘main street’ breezeway that leads to The Hub, an elevated plaza with ample seating, calming fountain, and multiple firepits. Past the entry portal, pools, sports courts, and turf lawns take full advantage of the Florida sun. At the West Campus community center, a terrace with raised planters overlooks the vast amenities and natural wetlands preserved as an open environmental amenity.

FCV East Campus

‘Main Street’ Breezeway

The Hub Plaza

Six-hoop basketball court and turf graduation lawn

FCV West Campus

Community center

Terrace overlooking preserved wetlands and outdoor amenities

FCV West Pool Sketch vs. Reality

The site footprint was limited by almost 50% due to the strategic utilization of underground storm infiltration systems under impervious parking areas. By not implementing traditional detention pond methods and keeping significant imperious areas available throughout the site, the project limited its site needs. The team also collaborated with Disney horticultural staff to craft a diverse plant palette while delivering a planting scheme that was adaptable to the microclimate of the site and of minimal demand on landscape maintenance resources.

Additional challenges the team successfully solved include connectivity to the Disney bus system with oversized shelters at the bus stop to shield cast members. The entire property is also secure with one main pedestrian and vehicular access point on each site, complete with security pavilions at each entrance to ensure the safety of all residents.

Left Image: East Campus dedicated rideshare waiting area and delivery drop off
Right Image: Bus loop with shelter offering connection to all Disney parks and resorts

No detail was overlooked when designing this live/learn/play residential campus that strives to surprise and delight, sparking creativity, connectivity, and community at every turn.