A Miami-based architect hired to redesign the old State Hospital campus on Bull Street is advocating that six of the 54 buildings be saved — among them the central part of the iconic Babcock Building — as well as about 75 percent of the trees.

Also, Andres Duany, of the Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co. firm, is advocating an underground stream, now in culverts under the property, be “daylighted” and enlarged into a small lake. The flood plain around it then could be used for hiking and biking trails.

Those recommendations, revealed to government officials Tuesday, are far from final. They are the first flurry of ideas in a weeklong input and planning session. By the end of next week, the sessions are expected to produce a redevelopment blueprint for the site’s 148 acres.

The public meetings are being held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

“The majority of the buildings are terrible — from the low point of Western architecture,” said Duany, referring to the many utilitarian structures built during the 1960s and 1970s. “The trees are the glory of the site.”

The buildings and trees are two of the stickiest issues in the campus’ redevelopment. But Duany said he wanted to offer the suggestions early to spur debate.

“Lightning (controversy) is going to strike, so I would rather it strike at the beginning so it can be part of the (discussion),” he said. “I like to stir the pot.”

The controversy from Tuesday’s suggestions includes:

• Keeping so many trees takes valuable land out of play and limits site plans for developers

• Rehabilitating buildings such as Babcock, which is in the National Register of Historic Places, is an expensive proposition. Babcock is expected to cost $20 million.

• Tearing down some buildings will irk preservationists.

Duany said he is advocating saving only portions of the Babcock and Williams buildings — older, central sections that are more architecturally or historically significant.

For instance, he advocates eliminating the outer wings of Babcock, saving the inner wings, the central skeleton and two dining halls.

“It would be a surgical strike,” he said of the partial demolition.

However, preservationists say the list of buildings should be expanded to include a cluster of outbuildings behind Babcock— brick structures that tell the story of asylum life.

“If they exclude the buildings behind Babcock, they are missing a piece of the picture that adds significantly to the uniqueness of that place,” said Robin Waites, executive director of the Historic Columbia Foundation.

In addition to Babcock, Duany advocated retaining:

• The Chapel of Hope, which was built with bricks from the asylum’s old wall

• A gymnasium and library across the street from the chapel

• The Wilson building, which would be perfect for a Montessori school, Duany said

• The central, pillared section of the Williams Building

• A greenhouse at the back of the property

Duany also said the underground Smith Branch would make a natural greenway through the property. It could be lined with bike paths that lead to nearby government and hospital complexes. The creek also could be expanded into a lake that would serve as a water feature and retention pond.

Reach Wilkinson at jwilkinson@thestate.com.