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
44 Landscape Architect and Specifier News Michels Plaza (Continued from page 42) motivation than a seemingly impossible deadline. We were very fortunate to have Bob Bennett, director of capital projects for Randolph College, and Chris Burnley, vice president for finance and administration, working hands on with us from concept to completion. In addition to daily supervision of the project, they also facilitated a number of meetings and design reviews critical to our success. The contractor, Thomas Design & Build, also worked hard to meet the college's deadline. Mary Michels Scovanner, a 1977 alumna, funded the design and construction and is the plaza's namesake. Without her generous gift these improvements would not have been possible. Michels Plaza is now one of the most unique outdoor gathering spaces for students, classes and other events throughout the entire campus. Construction predominantly consists of brick paving and veneer with the seating finished in bluestone. A historic yellow paver used for a diamond pattern featured throughout the grounds was included in the design to meld this new feature to the history of the campus. The red field of pavers is a blend of three unique paver products, arranged to closely match the historic walkways adjacent to the new plaza feature. A yellow paver diamond pattern offsets the fountain, a design found throughout the grounds. Nearly 130 bricks surrounding the fountain are engraved with the names of faculty emeriti and the departments in which they taught. All the design details for the fountain were coordinated on site with the contractor (Thomas Design & Build, LLC), supplier (Delta Fountains) and owner. The fountain has three main OASE 1.5-inch nozzles that can produce a 14-ft. water column, plus two 1-inch 'frothy' nozzles capable of a 4-ft. column of water, but the pump speed is slowed to create a bubbler effect. The main fountain is equipped with a 7.5 hp pump with a variable frequency drive that controls the pump speed and regulates the height of the fountains. This pump is capable of producing up to 750 gpm. There's also a Pentair 3-hp variable speed pump with four preset speeds and over 50 optional speed settings to adjust the flow height of the nozzles to the desired effect. The basin nozzles are further controlled by 2-inch ball valves that can be adjusted to equalize the flow of each nozzle. An anemometer reduces the pump speed as the wind picks up. Team List Landscape Architect: Harvey Design Land Architects, Inc. Project Manager: Proctor S. Harvey, RLA, ASLA Contractor: Thomas Design & Build, LLC, Bill Thomas Water Feature Components: Delta Fountains Brick: Boxley Block, LLC 40-45.indd 44 5/22/14 8:32 AM