Vol. 19, No. 1	Sept. 2, 1999

Colonnade puts new face on Smith and Purnell halls

The Colonnade connects the new entrances to Smith and Purnell halls.

Throughout the summer, construction continued on the Colonnade and the new plaza being built in the area off Amstel Avenue between Smith and Purnell halls.

According to Andy Welsh, Facilities Planning and Construction, when completed, the new Smith/Purnell Plaza will dramatically change the area's appearance. The Colonnade, which includes white columns, new signage, paved entryways and landscaping, is essentially finished.

The entire project also involves a renovated plaza, to be highlighted by an environmental sculpture, This, Welsh said, is scheduled for completion by late October.

"Even though the project is not complete, returning students and faculty will notice a major change in the area's appearance," Welsh said.

Dave Hollowell, executive vice president, explained that there are two issues that the new construction is designed to address.

"The connector between Smith and Purnell halls was deteriorating," Hollowell said, "and the way it was designed did not provide a primary entrance facade for either building. We decided to replace the connector with the Colonnade, an architectural element that highlights the building entrances and complements the appearance of the other buildings in that area of the campus, from MBNA America Hall to Gore Hall."

Deterioration of the concrete surface in the plaza was another issue that was addressed.

"A lot of students pass through that area each day, Hollowell said. "Our objective was to replace the surface and make the entire area more attractive than it was before."

The centerpiece of the new plaza will be an environmental sculpture, scheduled for installation in October. The artwork will feature a fountain, newly designed seating and attractive plantings. Artist Alice Adams of Bronx, New York, was highly recommended for the sculpture, Hollowell said, and she was selected from among three finalists who were interviewed.

Welsh said new landscaping would complement the 70-foot-diameter environmental sculpture, which includes a stream of recycled water that will flow over a granite cascade and into a small pool. Free-form stone benches will be constructed near the fountain, and curved planting beds comprise the rest of the sculptural element. The old elevated brick circle containing trees and shrubs has been removed and the sculptural element and new plaza will all be on one level.

"This construction is both functional and aesthetic," Hollowell said. "The use of pavers in the new plaza will make it easier to access the massive complex of underground utilities in the area. Since this project focused on an artistic centerpiece, its design has been more elaborate. We have had considerable contact and involvement with the artist. When it's completed, the improvement to the area will be dramatic and make a major difference in the environment that our students and staff experience every day."

Total cost of both projects is $2.4 million. The design is by Stubbins Associates of Cambridge, Mass., who was responsible for MBNA America Hall. Arena Construction of Wallingford, Pa., is the general contractor.

-Ed Okonowicz
Photo by John Chablanko

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