Meridian Street Arts Plaza

Indianapolis, Indiana

 

The Meridian Street Arts Plaza was initiated as a part of the overall South Downtown Corridor Improvements Projects, a major urban revitalization of the primary thoroughfare system within the near south side of downtown Indianapolis. The location and visibility of the plaza site immediately generated the idea of an outdoor arts plaza that will host public sculpture as the focal point. In addition, this space functions as a pedestrian link between the world headquarters of Eli Lilly & Company Faris campus and downtown Indianapolis.

 

The plaza design incorporates settings for two outdoor sculptures. The primary sculpture location is aligned with Meridian Street and Monument Circle, the geographic, cultural, and historical designed center of Indianapolis. This location is the only site in all of downtown Indianapolis that is aligned with, and in direct view of Monument Circle. The significance of this location reinforced the importance of constructing a world class sculpture of monumental scale in the space. The smaller sculpture location is positioned behind an existing curvilinear brick wall that was salvaged from it previous use. The sculpture locations have connecting sight lines through a window cut into the brick wall. Underneath the large sculpture pad and the main plaza space is a 90+ year old enclosed concrete box culvert, known as Pogues Run creek, a primary storm sewer, which could not be altered. The plaza design hosts both symmetrical and asymmetrical elements with open and linear views of the sculpture locations from all directions.

 

A variety of paving surfaces and materials were incorporated not only for design impact, but also to complement the surrounding architecture. Multi-colored concrete pads with geometric images were installed for the two sculpture circles and were designed as round forms, emulating Monument Circle. Curved brick benches, surrounding the sculpture spaces, were constructed of the same red brick from the salvaged brick wall and capped with brown cast stone seats. Structurally, the larger monumental sculpture pad was designed with a massive reinforced concrete pad underneath to support a sculpture at the maximum size anticipated, which was 24 feet tall and 15 feet wide.

 

The plaza lighting was designed to create a sense of security at night as well as a dramatic effect. In-ground lighting was installed in the turf areas to light the underside of the trees that would not interfere with the view of the sculptures. Along the sidewalks, curb mounted light fixtures were also used to light the walks, and reduce any source glare.

 

Columnar Maple trees were planted as symbolic ‘sentries’ to signify points of entry, and to frame the sculptures. Double rows of Cimmaron Ash trees were planted to reinforce the urban grid, and the linear connection of the plaza to Monument Circle. Native shrub and perennial plantings were placed to control pedestrian circulation and to further define the geometric spaces. This project utilized ‘smart growth’, ‘green’, and sustainable design practices.