An artist’s rendering of the furniture selected for the Einhorn Family Walk
In a campuswide survey this fall, members of the University community have selected the furnishings for the Einhorn Family Walk. The option, which includes granite blocks topped by wooden seating surfaces, will provide seating and other features to allow for conversation areas along the walkway that extends from the Newhouse complex to Bird Library.
Campus community members were asked in October to vote for their favorite seating option for the walkway, which was completed over the summer as part of the Campus Framework. Four options were presented in October during an engagement session with Sasaki Associates, the University’s design partner.
“It was important that members of the campus community offer their voice in how they want to experience the Einhorn Family Walk. I thank those who participated in the survey and the Campus Framework Advisory Group for their continued efforts and leadership,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “This new seating reflects how students and the entire campus community will enjoy this great gathering place on campus.”
Completed over the summer, the Einhorn Family Walk was supported by a gift from University Trustee Steven ’64, G’67, and Sherry Einhorn ’65. Steven Einhorn is the chair of the Campus Framework Advisory Group. The walkway was created as a pedestrian-friendly promenade, while supporting the goals of the Academic Strategic Plan to enhance the student experience and build a sense of “One University.”
All of the furnishing options for the walkway included choices for benches and seating, fixed furniture, planters and detectable warning pavers. Detectable warning pavers are manufactured with a raised textured surface, known as truncated domes, and are used to alert people with vision impairments of their approach to changing terrain.
The option selected by the campus community offers a series of granite blocks of different lengths, topped by backed and backless wooden seating surfaces, with and without arms. The seating also features integrated power outlets.
The seating has different options to recline on wood or granite surfaces, allowing opportunities to sit in any direction and for wheelchair transferring. As a result of feedback provided in the survey, the benches now face each other for group seating and conversations. Gaps between bench segments also allow for people in wheelchairs to sit alongside people on the bench.
Clusters of fixed metal and wood stools add to the complement of seating. The terrace edge includes a series of movable planters that bring color to the seating area.
“After initial design options were provided to the campus in May, we received student feedback that the architects used to incorporate into redesigned options,” says Joe Alfieri, director of Campus Planning, Design and Construction. “The selected option blends well with the aesthetics of the walkway and offers many spaces for campus members to meet and relax.”
Installation is expected to occur this summer. The existing teak benches, which were always intended to be temporary, will be moved to other campus locations as either replacements or new additions.
To learn more about the Campus Framework, visit http://campusframework.syr.edu.
