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Changing the Center of Gravity on Campus
Space to think. A place to gather. Perelman Plaza is the University's first true "town square"…
Space to think. A place to gather. A graceful pause in the tempo of pedestrian life. That's Raymond G. Perelman Plaza, the University's first true "town square."
The reimagined outdoor space along the former 32nd Street between Market and Chestnut streets puts the campus center of gravity squarely at the intersection of several important academic buildings.
In place of an older, congested walkway are a wide swath of pathstones, and shading around comfortable benches. The design provides natural beauty as well as integrated stormwater management and rainwater usage.
"WELL-SHAPED, WELL-FORMED, USABLE OUTDOOR ROOMS ARE IN MANY WAYS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE INDOOR ROOMS,” SAYS BOB FRANCIS, VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY FACILITIES. “PERELMAN PLAZA IS REALLY AN OUTDOOR ROOM WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN PARTICIPATE."
"Not just for our students, faculty and staff, but also for the community and our visitors, you want them to have the same feeling of comfort they have in a well-designed building."
Construction of the plaza was made possible by a $5 million gift from one of Greater Philadelphia's premier philanthropic organizations, the Raymond and Ruth Perelman Education Foundation.