Summitt Plaza creates an engaging and timeless entrance to the UT campus from Neyland Drive and recognizes the accomplishments of legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt. With the desire to radiate class and elegance, like its namesake, Summitt Plaza uses natural materials that are rich in character. The paving design evokes the shape and strands of a basketball hoop with the statue of Coach Summitt situated in the center, looking toward the arena.
“If I’m not leading by example, then I’m not doing the right thing. And I want to always do the right thing.” – Pat Summitt
The site, extending up Lake Loudon Boulevard, received new terracing, landscaping, and site lighting, including back-lighting the statue for dramatic effect. The plaza remains an active location even after sunset and engages pedestrian and vehicular traffic through the design’s attention to scale and sightlines.
Brian Nicholson, AIA, LEED AP
Principal
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