Students added to courtyard conversation
The renovation project to the Kent Concert Hall entrance courtyard has led to a design competition for landscape architecture students.
Sam Taylor, a junior in landscape architecture, ran a petition to save the trees in the courtyard prior to the construction starting mid-October. He said it was a big piece of the courtyard’s integrity and had the added benefit of energy savings for the building from the shade.
“Some people think the petition was a failure, but it was actually pretty successful in enacting some change,” Taylor said.
Through the petition process, Taylor met with Caine College of the Arts dean Craig Jessop and faculty also expressed concern. Jessop arranged with USU facilities to save the trees.
There was broad public interest in the space, and the deans of the arts college and the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences wanted to involve students more. Construction began on the architectural aspect of the building, but the courtyard is being left alone for now.
As a result, they are hosting a courtyard design competition. David Evans, coordinator of the competition, said both colleges donated cash awards to go to the top four designs, with a grand prize of $1,750. The grand prize winner’s design will also be implemented, and they will the opportunity to work with the landscape architect for the project.
Entries are due Dec. 9 and will be reviewed by a jury directly involved in the project, according to Evans. The entries will be narrowed to a short list, and the competitors will be able to produce additional work to present to the jury to sell their design in January.
“It’s getting the student involvement and going to yield a very high end, quality result,” Taylor said.
The designs are difficult and a lot of work, according to Taylor. There are a lot of things people want to see the courtyard space used for, and applicants must consider the biology associated to work around roots of trees.
Evans was worried students would not participate with the short notice and finals coming up. However, the information meeting room was packed. They expect between 30-40 applicants.
“Students seem really excited to have an opportunity to compete for a real-world project that could become a really important portfolio item and set someone’s career on a good path,” Evans said.
Jessop hosted commissions that invited faculty to weigh in on highest goals and objectives for redesign of courtyard throughout several half-day sessions prior to the competition, Evans said.
Competitors were provided with the list of these project goals and objectives, and they have made efforts to ensure no competitor is disadvantaged, Evans said. The entries are anonymous in the first round, and any answers to questions asked of the coordinator are sent to the lists of applicants, he added.
There is no set budget for the courtyard design competition. However, designs will be judged off feasibility, according to Evans. Once a winner is selected, there will be a cost estimate and the university will begin raising money. It may be built in phases.
“We see courtyard as the heart of fine arts, for the university and the whole logan community,” Evans said. “There will be a sense of real student involvement. I hope we can find a way to do more of it.”
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