Initiated by the Kutztown University Foundation and the Office of Alumni Relations, our firm won a design competition to envision a plaza and commons, destined to become the campus’s gateway and a central gathering place.  The one-acre site, a transitional area between the academic and residential campuses, was transformed into an open and welcoming space with artfully positioned landscape and hardscape.  The design draws inspiration from the local Amish heritage of quilting and stone masonry and accommodates a variety of uses year-round.  Of the five key design components – Alumni Walk, Campus Green, Alumni Plaza, Our Future Pavilion and Main Street – Alumni Plaza is the focal point of the project, with its combination of fixed and fluid surfaces and a mesmerizing water feature that invites both participation and contemplation. When the water is turned off, the plaza serves as a stage for large gatherings and performances.