LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/320919
40 Landscape Architect and Specifier News Randolph College, originally founded in 1891 as Randolph Macon Woman's College, is nestled in Lynchburg, Virginia with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its historic campus architecture. Harvey Design Land Architects (HDLA) has worked with the college on numerous projects over the last six years, including attractive rain gardens and overall beautification for the campus frontage. We were honored when they asked us to move forward with a plaza design located at the heart of the campus. Randolph College is in the midst of numerous upgrades and improvements, including a recently completed $6 million Student Center renovation designed by Architectural Partners of Lynchburg, Va. The selected location for the new plaza was an unattractive and uninviting asphalt parking lot behind Main Hall, which daily disgorged a heavy flow of pedestrian traffic. It was clear that this space wanted to be much more than an underused parking lot, and this is largely what drove our conversations with the college about transforming this space. We envisioned a gathering area for students and faculty, offering up some of the best views on campus. The plaza feature began in concept as a small, intimate courtyard enclosed by seat walls. Those early concepts presented to the college grew substantially as the faculty realized the space needed to be kept open for larger events. 3D renderings at this early stage were an invaluable tool in helping the client visualize what this space could become. The plaza also needed to be in harmony with the newly constructed Student Center, an impressive architectural backdrop for any open space design. One thing we knew for certain was the plaza would include some form of water feature or features. Above The design of Michels Plaza at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va., offers two bubbling pools at either side of the top row of amphitheater- style seating, with a recirculating fountain at the plaza center. Bluestone (Boxley Block) caps the brick amphitheater seat ledges and pool seat walls. The seating design mimics that of Randolph's Greek Theatre. The tree (right) is a 'Natchez' crape myrtle; the groundcover is periwinkle. Michels Plaza at Historic Randolph College, Lynchburg, Va. by Proctor Harvey, RLA, ASLA, and Nathan Harbin, Creative Director, Harvey Design Land Architects (HDLA) (Continued on page 42) 40-45.indd 40 5/22/14 8:32 AM