GAI’s Community Solutions Group, along with ZMM Architects, was selected to provide master planning and design services for a new sculpture garden at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston, West Virginia. The design team focused the plan around the concept of providing three outdoor “rooms” that are meant to enhance the Clay Center visitor experience, offering the guests the opportunity to listen, reflect, and interact.

To create a place to listen, the design team developed an event space covered with an artful tensile fabric canopy which is to be used for outdoor concerts, weddings, and parties. For an area of reflection, a large, tiered reflecting pool and fountain surrounded by lush landscaping was used. The fountain was situated to draw the eye to a central feature sculpture from all areas of the garden, and provides quiet areas from which to enjoy other works of art. From the fountain, a meandering trail leads visitors into the area of interaction. This space includes seating areas for outdoor dining, classroom space, landscaping, and lighting to create a comfortable environment.

The site broke ground in fall of 2019 and is anticipated to be complete in summer 2020.