Miles of Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN

Day two of North Savanna Studio. The weather was hot. The curiosity dwelling inside all of us was enough to kill 100 cats. What could we possibly be in for today?


First Stop: Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

We learned that the Walker Art Center was made in 1929, designed by Edward Larabee Barns and Quinnel Rothschile Landscape Architects. It used to be connected to Loring Park, but Interstate-94 was forced through it. To reconnect the two areas, the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge was built. It was designed by Siah Armajami in 1987. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden was established in 1988, at which point it was 7 1/2 acres. In 1992, 3 1/2 more acres were added to the park.

 Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge

 Spoon Bridge and Cherry

 Trippy Mirrors

 Green House Plant Walls

Glass Fish

After strolling across Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge, we made it to Loring Park, named for Charles M. Loring. Dating from the 1870s-1880s, Loring Park was originally named Central Park. It was designed by H.W.S. Cleaveland, the designer of the whole Minneapolis park system. He connected the city through these open park systems, which were meant to be closed off from the city, but not completely, like a quiet escape from all the hustle and bustle. The paths winding through the park create more space by separating people throughout the park.

Loring Park

Second Stop: Loring Greenway

We weaved our way through Minneapolis, never losing the feeling of seclusion from the city, by using the Loring Greenway. The Loring Greenway is an example of urban renewal, a response to suburbanism. In light of late modernism, materials in this site included wood, brick, and other earth materials. Uncluttered and well maintained, M. Paul Friedburg designed it as a junction between the open park space and the busy downtown of Nicolette Mall. 

Loring Greenway

Third Stop: Peavey Plaza

Peavey Plaza was designed in 1973 and became the highlight of Nicollet Mall. It is a modernist approach to a very urbanist space, designed to imitate the aesthetics of a mountain stream. It is a very active space, made for the enjoyment of people. However, it is now under heavy criticism and may be removed. As of now, all of the water has been removed, and yet people still gather here. 

After the experience of the plaza we continued on down Nicollet Mall. Once a busy four lane road, it is now a wavy 2 lane centered around the enjoyment of the pedestrians. Rich with open spaces and vendors galore, it is a exciting place to visit. The only other vehicles aloud on the streets are cops and buses.

The last place we visited was the Federal Court House Plaza. Designed in the 1980's by Martha Schwartz, this was a sight to be seen. These fake plastic mounds appeared to be just growing up from the stone below. This was in reference to the local geological forms created by the glaciers. Formally constricted by the lack of earth beneath the plaza, Schwartz was forced to build completely above ground. Something we took away from her style of design is that landscape is an artistic statement, and that the landscape is just as important as the architecture itself. 

Until next time!