Yesterday, the bronze grid was installed on the top of the Smokestack at The Plant. Pretty darn exciting. This project was one that was initiated while I was on staff at PUENTE, and it has been quite a journey. I remember when Gillian Christy, the artist, showed up at my door with her design. She was the first person to submit a proposal, early in the morning on the day we had set as the deadline. I was struck with the symbolism and the lovely simplicity of her rendering. I think the final piece will stay true to that initial vision. The biggest design change was the substitution of a bronze grid for the translucent glass brick that she envisioned topping the stack (the glass was too heavy and wasn’t structurally feasible).

I was in Providence today for a talk, and so took a few pictures, some of the Smokestack in progress (the stainless steel leaves will wind around down most of the brick part of the stack) and some of the courtyards, now that they have trees planted. I have got to say- I think the trees have been one of my biggest disappointments so far. The landscape architect specified Black Locusts, Yellowwood and a fig tree, and instead we got Red maples, Bradford Pears (a personal pet peeve of mine), and Tulip trees. But I am learning to let go. In the development process, some things come out the way you envision them, and some things don’t.