RESIDENTIAL
INSTITUTIONAL
VILLANOVA PLAZA
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    The plaza and surrounding garden space at the new entrance to the Mendel Science Center, was created by extensive fill within terraced retaining walls.
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    The plaza has two different levels, connected by broad steps that serve as informal seating, and approached by handicap access ramps to both the lower plaza level and the upper building entrance level.
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    Granite steps and bands in the plaza paving echo the curvilinear form of the building entrance.
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    The bronze statue of Gregor Mendel is the focal point of the plaza.
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    The granite statue base and surrounding bands add to the unified plaza space, with large evergreen firs planted to provide a sculpture backdrop and cooling tower screen.
At Villanova University, Mendel Hall Plaza adjoins the Mendel Science Center in the heart of the campus. To overcome the initial challenges of a sloping site and large cooling towers in the front of the building, terraced retaining walls were added to create a level plaza space with gardens near the building entrance. The terraces also provide planting beds to screen the cooling towers.