trahan architects + spackman mossop michaels plan corten steel pavilion for park in arkansas

trahan architects and spackman mossop michaels revealed their design for the expansion and renovation of luther george park, located in downtown springdale, arkansas. the project is part of the city’s larger plan to create vibrant public spaces and plazas, with the flexibility to support public art, performing arts and seasonal outdoor markets. located on the park’s central axis, a sculptural performance pavilion made from weathering steel will serve as a multifunctional platform for a variety of events, performances, and gatherings.renders by eleven visualisation, all courtesy of trahan architects

to develop the expansion and renovation of luther george park, trahan architects and spackman mossop michaels drew from the native landscapes of arkansas and the cultural richness of the local community. the establishment of over 200 new trees in the park is built on the native ecosystems of the region and will provide shade for the community and habitat for local wildlife. ‘the park is about bringing people together from across the community and providing a space to connect to one another, and to the natural world,’ says wes michaels, founding principal of spackman mossop michaels.

the park is conceived as a connective gateway bridging the active corridor of the razorback greenway with the main street life of emma avenue in springdale. on the park’s central axis, the dynamic shape of the performance pavilion twists and straddles the pathway, forming an inviting gateway into the park. the pavilion will be able to host various activities, from small events, like movie nights for 50-100 people, to performances of up to 3.000 people. its shell is constructed from weathering steel, which will patina over time to reveal the nuances of the environmental conditions.

‘we believe strongly in the power of landscapes to inform our architecture – the performance pavilion draws inspiration from the rolling hills of the landscape and the strong axial connection between the river and downtown springdale,’ explains trey trahan, founder & CEO of trahan architects. ‘it is both an icon and deeply embedded in the context.’

the project was commissioned by the downtown springdale alliance which received a grant from the walton family foundation in conjunction with their design excellence program to jump-start implementation of its downtown master plan with the expansion and renovation of luther george park. the park is part of the city’s larger plan to create vibrant public spaces and plazas, with the flexibility to support public art, performing arts and seasonal outdoor markets. ‘the downtown springdale alliance is thrilled with the work of the design team of spackman mossop michaels and trahan architects,’ notes jill dabbs, executive director of the downtown springdale alliance. ‘luther george park redesigned will be transformative to the beautiful diverse culture and vibrancy of downtown springdale.’