Trahan Architects and SMM transform a public park in Springdale, Arkansas
Luther George Park has offered respite for residents of Springdale, Arkansas, for some time now. But after many years of wear and tear, the public park needed repairs. Today, the 14-acre green space is undergoing a major renovation by Spackman Mossop Michaels (SMM), a New Orleans-based landscape architecture office. There, Trahan Architects recently completed an elegant public pavilion that mimics Luther George Parks rolling hills. Over time, the pavilions steel will develop a nice toned patina.The design by Trahan Architects recalls past sculptures by Richard Serra. The pavilion is meant to host play, performance, community gatherings and quiet contemplation. It marks the inaugural piece of Downtown Springdale Alliances masterplan, the project team shared, which is set to add 200 new trees to Luther George Park, among other upgrades.The pavilion is sited on a central pedestrian extension to Springdales Water Street. (Tim Hursley/Courtesy Trahan Architects)To accommodate all sorts of performances, the public pavilion designed by Trahan Architects has no backside. Our architecture is deeply informed by the soils, landscape, and cultural context of each place we work in, noted Trey Trahan, founder and CEO of Trahan Architects. The performance pavilion draws inspiration from Springdales unique ecology and surroundings, while emphasizing the strong axial connection between the creek and downtown Springdale, Trahan continued. Our collaboration has created a park and pavilion of performative sculpture that will be a local, regional, and national destination for generations to come.The pavilions distinctive shell was made in sections produced by CIG Architecture, a Dutch steel fabricator. (Tim Hursley/Courtesy Trahan Architects)The pavilion is sited on a central pedestrian extension to Springdales Water Street. The elevation that faces the eastern great lawn is where large scale performances unfold while, to the west, more intimate gatherings like movie screenings can take place. The pavilions distinctive shell was made in sections produced by CIG Architecture, a Dutch steel fabricator. Its composed of weathering steel plates and spans a total 150 feet in length. The structure itself is anchored by only two points, Trahan Architects shared, making it appear weightless.The pavilion is located close by to a playground. (Tim Hursley/Courtesy Trahan Architects)Performance technologies are inserted throughout the pavilion, such as rigging coves for theatrical lighting. Theres also dedicated power sources for AV equipment and perforations for optimized acoustics.At its heart, Luther George Park is about creating connections, added Wes Michaels, SMMs founding principal, linking downtown Springdale to Spring Creek and the Razorback Greenway, uniting the greater northwest Arkansas region through cultural celebrations at the performance pavilion, and most importantly, bringing together the people of Springdale through everyday gatherings of family and friends in the park.