Spillman Farmer Architects

Lafayette College Arts Plaza

Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography

LAFAYETTE COLLEGE ARTS PLAZA

Spillman Farmer Architects

ARCHITECTS
Spillman Farmer Architects

LOCATION
Easton, United States

CATEGORY
Schools 

AREA
7145.0 m²

YEAR
2010

PHOTOGRAPHS
Halkin Mason Photography, Vicki Liantonio

Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography

Text description provided by architect.

This distinctive space was envisioned as an outdoor black box that can host a wide array of planned and spontaneous artistic endeavors, including performance art, visual art exhibits, and small-group musical performances.

Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Vicki Liantonio
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography

The structure actually transforms an abandoned building as it responds to the built and natural environment of which it is part.

The Arts Plaza was built as an urban infill project on the same slab as an existing building. The site physically spans the Bushkill Creek, a beloved natural element within the city of Easton.

Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Vicki Liantonio
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography

While the old building’s solid walls proved an effective barrier between the creek’s environment and the community, the new Arts Plaza literally deconstructs these barriers to connect people and nature.

The east wall of the existing building was completely removed to allow views to the water from within the Plaza.

Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Vicki Liantonio

The transparency of the west wall further opens the creek views to pedestrians passing by on the sidewalk.

An oculus cut into the existing floor amplifies the sound of the creek in the space for a multidimensional connection to the natural environment.

Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Halkin Mason Photography
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Vicki Liantonio
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Vicki Liantonio
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
© Vicki Liantonio


Lafayette College Arts Plaza
Site Plan
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
Site Plan


Lafayette College Arts Plaza
Elevation
Lafayette College Arts Plaza
Section

Spillman Farmer Architects
T +1 610 8652621 -
Spillman Farmer Architects
1720 Spillman Dr, Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States