[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/arts_quad2.jpg” caption=”Contractors work to place the boulder islands in the Arts Quad near Kenneth Taylor Hall. Photo credit: Virginia Burt”]

The Arts Quad welcomes some new residents this week in the form of giant boulders. The boulders, which have been reclaimed from the courtyard in front of the Arthur Bourns Building itself now under renovation, will form islands in the new river-themed quad.

Virginia Burt of Visionscapes Landscapes Architects Inc. was inspired by how people move through the space like a river. One of the highly used areas of the campus, more than 500 students traverse the Arts Quad each hour. Burt's design incorporates a winding river with eddies, confluences and deltas along and within its banks.

The islands of stone are glacially formed granite boulders and composed by stone sculpture artist Walt Rickli.

Other components of the multi-phase renovation project include addressing normal deterioration related to waterproofing and other building components, repairing leaking roof areas, creating accessible pedestrian friendly areas for those visually impaired, improving the quality of the open spaces formed between these buildings, addressing maintenance issues with current paving materials and snow removal, and making an inviting and calming gathering space.