Hybrid square design ignites discussion

Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, the Springfield architecture firm working in conjunction with New York-based Projects for Public Spaces, presented its ideas for the square at council’s luncheon.

The design, according to BRP team member Frank Zanaboni, would be in phases. Phase I would include renovating just the inner square by filling the area to bring it up to grade, adding green areas and renovating the existing fountain by adding an interactive water spray feature and updating the fountain’s mechanical elements.

Zanaboni said the first phase includes everything that can be completed within the city’s current $1 million budget.

BRP presented three additional options for the design. One focused on creating park space, the second focused on creating a plaza environment, and the third – and recommended – is a hybrid of the other two.

The hybrid design, which would bring the total cost to $2.97 million, also includes four “media towers” with speakers and lights that would act as structural supports for a canopy over the center of the square, creating an area for outdoor performances and shows.

City Public Information Director Louise Whall said that while funding for the project has not yet been completely determined, the city anticipates that renovations to the square itself could be funded through private sources such as businesses on the square, while street improvements would be included in future streetscape project funding. The media towers and canopy would be the last item to be added, and no funding has been identified.

Zanaboni said the design achieves the desired effect of creating programmable spaces while preserving the fountain, which he called the centerpiece of the current design. The square in its current form was designed by renowned landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, who also designed the United Nations Plaza in San Francisco and the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“It would easily be cheaper for the city to just bulldoze the fountain out of there and just build something new, but that was the one component of the square that we feel is the strongest piece of the original Halprin design,” Zanaboni said. “The sunken effect of the square is counterproductive to what will make the square a safer, more program-friendly space.”

Council plans to further discuss the design, including the possibility of preserving more of Halprin’s original concept, at its Feb. 12 luncheon.

See SBJ’s Feb. 11 issue for more on the ideas for the square.[[In-content Ad]]