Landscape Architect & Specifier News

FEB 2015

LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.

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February 2015 95 implements strategies to manage tenant and visitor traffic around the building. Creating an inviting plaza was a primary design goal. The existing plaza space felt tired and disconnected from the adjacent pedestrian areas, and the existing streetscape felt cold and unapproachable. The existing upper plaza was all one level, so the seating area was much higher than the adjacent sidewalk. The differences in elevation accompanied with the railings and plantings that separated the two spaces made the plaza feel uninviting. The owner wanted to create a space that blurred the lines between semi-private and public space so pedestrians and people working out of neighboring buildings also felt free to enjoy the space. By creating a tiered plaza, Confluence eliminated the need for railings to define and close off the space. The tiered area smoothly transitions down to the adjacent sidewalk. Sloped plantings maximize the visible green space and help achieve the softer look desired. The goal of creating a more open appearance extended beyond the plaza to the building entrance itself. Before the redesign, large raised planters extended the length of Grand Avenue. The planters blocked access along the south edge of the block and didn't align with the pedestrian circulation of the adjacent blocks. Grand Avenue is one of two main vehicular circulation routes through downtown, but the existing streetscape configuration made the area feel like more of a back-door entrance. The redesign put the Grand Avenue entrance to work full time, solidifying this space as the front door to downtown's premier office location. Confluence removed the existing raised planters and pushed the curb line south to add bump-outs at either end of the block. This created a vehicular drop-off for employees and visitors, reinforced the a bove Custom-designed and internally illuminated signage fabricated by ASi Signage reinforces the 801 Grand brand at all four corners of the site. Here, at the corner of 9th Street & High Street, the signage is incorporated into the new extended portion of the wall. Custom railings are inspired by the 801 Grand logo. pHoTo CRediT: ConfLuenCe

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