Vol. 18, No. 35	June 24, 1999

Plaza construction under way; early fall completion planned

Construction begins on Smith/Purnell Plaza.--Photo by Jack Buxbaum

The entrance to the plaza from Amstel Avenue

An overview of the plaza featuring the sculpture

This time, however, the construction effort is not maintenance, but more permanent.

According to Andy Welsh, Facilities Planning and Construction, the new Smith/ Purnell Plaza will dramatically change the area's appearance. The project-scheduled for completion by early October-involves new building entrance facades and a colonnade-style arcade connecting Smith and Purnell, as well as a renovated plaza, highlighted by an environmental sculpture by Alice Adams. Accompanying these structural renovations, Welsh said, will be dramatic changes in landscaping, including new pavers and plantings.

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

"First," he said, "the connector between Smith and Purnell halls was deteriorating, and the way it was designed did not provide a primary entrance façade for either building. We decided to replace the connector with an architectural element that would highlight the building entrances and complement the appearance of the other buildings in that area of the campus, from MBNA America Hall to Gore Hall. This new design, with the white columns, new signage, paved entryways and landscaping, will satisfy these needs."

Deterioration of the concrete surface in the plaza was another issue that needed to be 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 featuring three components-the only running fountain on campus, 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 the new landscaping will complement a 70-foot-diameter environmental sculpture, including a fountain with water jets that rise 2 feet and then flow over a granite cascade 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, Welsh said, and the sculptural element and new plaza will all be on one level.

For Welsh, who has supervised the construction of major campus buildings during his career, this more artistic project offers a different challenge.

"This is more of an aesthetic job," he said, "and it has to be approached differently. The design stage was a more elaborate process, and we had considerable contact with the artist. When it became necessary to make adjustments, they had to be based on both budget limitations and artistic integrity. But, this should be a dramatic improvement to the area and make a major difference in the environment that our students and staff use 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

Artist Alice Adams

Alice Adams of Bronx, New York, specializes in public art projects. She holds a B.F.A. degree from Columbia University and studied at l'Ecole Nationale d'Art Decoratif in France. Some of her recent works include "The Roundabout" at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia; "African Garden Courtyard" at P.S. 12 in Brooklyn, New York; and "Beaded Circle Crossing," located in the United Airlines Terminal at the new Dallas International Airport.