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project was designed as a bridge between surrounding campus landscapes and facilities. It effectively facilitates daily interac- tion among students, faculty and administration. It serves as the setting for newly established campus traditions, significant campus events and informal gatherings. The project, in form and detail, reinforces Converse Col- lege's commemoration of the past, as well as its commitment to the future. The elliptical garden establishes a meaningful and his- torically sensitive foreground for Wilson Hall, the college's 125-year-old historic administration building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The vehicular drop-off and plaza and garden pathways, both of which feature clay pavers and edging, and brick seat walls successfully reinforce the plaza's historic context. Brick detail- ing and paving patterns are used to delineate vehicular and pe- destrian zones and take cues from many of Converse College's historic gardens. From an aesthetic standpoint, the design creates a timeless space, sited between the college's historic campus gateway and the administration building. Clay pavers soften the visual and physical impact of ve- hicular traffic across the space. Pine Hall Brick's Courtyard Beale Street paver and Old Hampton Modular face brick were selected to complement the brick hues of the surrounding buildings. The project serves both function and form. Artistically designed as a fine garden landscape, as well as a venue for ceremonial procession and larger gatherings, Johnson Plaza effectively serves a number of purposes. The garden includes a variety of species that bloom purple — the school color — and which flourish year-round. The design features distinctive paving patterns within the plaza spaces and connecting brick pathways. Broad granite steps, a two-inch wide granite band inscribed with both the college seal and the college's core values underscore this his- torically meaningful place. Within the vehicular way, interlocking paving patterns, designed to perform under frequent traffic, are used at the speed table to visually extend the sidewalk across the street. Vehicular thresholds and pedestrian crosswalks incorporate 2¼"x4"x8" square-edge clay pavers, sand-set over a 6" con- crete base and restrained by flush concrete ribbon curbing. The same sand-set paver is laid over a stone base at both upper and lower pedestrian plazas and connecting garden pathways. There, brick seat walls flank accessible paths, which pro- vide access to the lower plaza. The seat walls, which incor- porate bullnose shape and Spanish bond pattern details, are designed to encourage views across the Converse College seal and accompanying list of core values toward the more pastoral campus lawn. Once students, faculty or visitors arrive at Converse Col- lege, they get an idea of what the place is about. What's expected of those in this place is actually carved in stone, out there for all to see: "Excellence. Integrity. Explora- tion. Diversity. Respect. Community." PROJECT PROFILE PHOTOS ON PAGES 28 AND 29 BY FORREST BRIGGS www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation November/December 2015 29