Natural stone creates iconic public spaces

A similarly enduring icon is the “Word of Life” mural on the Hesburgh Library at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Completed in 1964, the mural is composed of approximately 6700 individual pieces of granite, in more than 140 colors. An article in the university’s journal, the Notre Dame News, emphasizes the durability of the granite and quotes Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC, president emeritus of Notre Dame as saying, “The climate here is abominable at times and no one could say that it would last. The amazing thing is that it has lasted this long, and it has kept the richness of its color.”

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is another important symbol of civic pride featuring granite. For this project, sourcing American stone was a particularly important requirement. The memorial consists of 4-m (12-ft) high walls of rugged, split granite appearing as though they have just emerged from the quarry. The walls encompass four outdoor ‘rooms,’ signifying the four terms of Roosevelt’s presidency. Dedication of the memorial in 1997 marked the culmination of a 20-year effort.

In addition to providing a long-lasting building material, natural stone helps project teams create interesting frameworks for open and enticing spaces. With natural stone, design teams can:

• create a sense of place;
• provide a tactile experience for the public; and
• express the cultural and natural environment.

Sense of place

The Denver Union Station is the nucleus of the city’s multi-modal transportation system, including commuter trains, light rails, and buses. Originally constructed in 1881, the landmark was recently renovated and reopened to the public in 2014. Surrounding the exterior of the project is a series of public spaces designed to connect the site and create gathering areas and event locations for denizens of Denver.

To create a sense of place, the project design team incorporated popup fountains where children splash and play in summer months. The fountain is computer-programmed to create numerous effects, and uplighting adds nighttime beauty. In winter, the inactive fountain leaves an unhindered hardscape area.

While sunshine, restaurants, and moveable chairs and tables characterize the south plaza, the quieter north plaza features raised perennial beds, abundant shade, and granite benches for seating.

Granite was a primary building material for the plaza, selected not only for its beauty, but also for its surface hardness and durability. According to the owner, the team achieved its goal of making the union station the most attractive public space in Denver.

Front door to the city

In many cities, natural stone can transform unused or underutilized spaces into vibrant public areas. Such was the case with the Dilworth Park project in Philadelphia, a revitalization of the city’s aging center square, formerly known as Dilworth Plaza. The design team transformed an inaccessible, multilevel plaza into a vibrant, open civic space. Situated above Philadelphia’s main transportation hub, the park also serves as a gateway to the city’s public transit.

Dilworth Park’s new design is a fusion of modern and historic, and granite plays a key role. According to the design team, granite was selected for its ability to provide a contemporary look while complementing the historic surroundings. Further, the design team noted the importance of using stone for projects because of its low embodied energy.