Bailey Plaza, Cornell Univeristy

Bailey Plaza transforms a former surface parking lot at Cornell University into a major pedestrian crossroads and gathering space at the entrance to Bailey Hall, one of the university’s most iconic civic buildings. The design draws inspiration from the dramatic geology of the Cornell landscape, particularly its gorges, translating the character of exposed stone, water, and woodland into a contemporary campus landscape. The pavement is constructed entirely from Alcove bluestone, using two finishes of the same material to create a subtle composition that reflects existing patterns of pedestrian movement. Dense planting, monumental timber benches, and a dramatic stone water feature create places for gathering while strengthening the relationship between Bailey Hall and the surrounding campus. The result is both passage and destination, creating a distinctive landscape rooted in geology, movement, material, and place.