News Release (July 7, 1965)

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/ NEW COLLEC!1 Sara ot Fl FOR r.ELEAS E : r f 1EDIATE A cluster of tall, royal palms, planted in a pattern, will form the heart of a plaza linking the three residence halls of reu Coller;e. Construction already is underway on the foundations for the plaza, 'rl1ich \.Jas designed by Architect I. 'f. r>ei to p;ive a common access to the residence halls and also to tie then to the nffiT multi purpose the Carl and "arjorie Hamilton Court, for which drawinP, s nor ; are beinr, made. Pei traveled extensively around Vlorida viewing various types of landscaping before he decided on the massed royal palms for the central court. J T e wanted to find somethinp, truly distinctive and representative of the area that l.Jould complement the East Camous structures uhich he considers one of his finest projects. His idea, according to Planning Officer Captain Ralph E. Styles, is to have 24 of the palms clustered in the center of the plaza, each in its own square planter, l -Tith around each tree. Since each tree is to be 35-40 feet tall, Captain Styles noted, they will form a solid pattern at the top, taller than either of the surroundinr, buildings, "Pei sees the massed trunks projectinf\ skyward as a complement to the build-ings themselves," said Capt. Styles. "Tm.Jering over the halls be the Preen roof provided by the tops of the 24 nalms, which ill add color to the nearly single tone of tree trunk and building brick." Capt. Styles said that both night and day the plaza would be an attractive area for student and visitor. -more-

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l'eH Colle"'e pap.e 2 l''eH Coller,e is noH lookinp, for reople ubo have royal nalr'ls they uld like to give to the for this nroject. "It is quite a job finding 24 trees of this type," said Capt. Styles. "We already have been offered several trees by peonle in the area but tJe are to find more. lJe pay all costs of transplant in<>. The surface of the plaza Hill be of tile rnatchino that in the center court of each of the residence halls. Around the edge of the nlaza :lill be a brick wall Hhich also uill serve as a seating area for students visitors. Capt. Styles said that the li
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Coller,e-r>age 3 By or>ening of the second academic year in late September, said Capt. Styles, the southern half of the Eas t Canpus should be nearly complete, includine James A I.:noHles, Inc., of St. r>etersburr is the contractor on the central plaza, tras conceived by consultant Lane workinB with architect Pei and his staff. wirst staqe plantings were done by Tleasoner' s '!ursery. -30-