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Arts Plaza
Arts Plaza
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Arts Plaza
Type
YEAR
2011
SIZE
5000 sqft - 10,000 sqft
BUDGET
$1M - 5M
The Arts Plaza at Lafayette College is a raw, open-air space for the arts. This distinctive outdoor theater plays host to a wide array of artistic endeavors, including performance art, visual art exhibits, and small-group musical performances. The project transforms an abandoned auto repair facility into a dynamic outdoor teaching space that responds to its built and natural environment.The Plaza’s participation in its immediate urban context is key to its success. Rather than approaching the urban fabric traditionally, through “urban infill,” the plaza deconstructs remnants of an abandoned building, leaving only what is essential, and creates “urban unfill:” a void where the walkable space of the city flows through the streetwall. This “unfilling” of the block allows the space to act as an outdoor room, but also creates a presence for the College in a once-neglected area of town. Rather than abandon the swatch of land, the College and the architects chose to use it as a shared space, bringing together “town” and “gown.”Urbanistically, the revitalization of this particular land parcel has significant impacts. Just as the College and the City were once separated by an abandoned lot, the City and the Bushkill Creek were once separated by a solid streetwall and the depth of a city block. The project utilizes the site’s unique location, directly above the creek, to visually connect users back to the waterway that winds through the City of Easton. An oculus cut into the Plaza’s slab amplifies this relationship both spatially and acoustically.Through subtraction, deconstruction, and reuse, the Arts Plaza draws attention to the confluence of multiple space types (collegiate, urban, and natural) to enhance the user experience of the space. In all three cases, a careful attention to detail and a special appreciation for material contributes to the overall experiential success of the project.
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