Plaza Contenta in Santa Fe

Avantgardens, a landscape and paver contractor, was responsible for training and overseeing paver installation by 10 young workers from Youth Works. This non-profit organization trains young men and women who have not finished high school to acquire useful skills such as applying stucco, laying bricks, and tree and planting.

The curved amphitheater is anchored at both ends with large local boulders and was constructed of Belgard concrete wall units with seat caps, and features two tiers of seating to accommodate 250 people.

This project entailed the design and construction of a unique amphitheater and performing arts plaza in Tierra Contenta, an affordable residential area of Santa Fe, N.M., poorly served by public parks. The project site was originally designed for four live-work buildings that would be located around the plaza. Due to the economic situation, the buildings have been deferred for future development.

Dave Gurule of Phase One Realty and Tierra Contenta Corp. were the clients. The project cost was $195,000, donated by McCune Foundation. Pro bono donations included design and project management by Craig Campbell Studio. Solange Serquis donated CAD drawing production. Kevin Avants of Avantgardens donated labor and reduced labor costs for the paver/seatwall installation.

The McCune Foundation and Phase One Realty determined that the surrounding community would be well served by proceeding with the development of the plaza and amphitheater. In order to keep costs within the available budget, the landscape architect assumed the role normally provided by a general contractor and coordinated the efforts of the surveyor, the hardscape contractor, the grading contractor, the concrete contractor and the electrical contractor.

The coordination of the delivery of all hardscape material was made more difficult due to the need to arrange the delivery direct to the site by eight different flatbed trucks that had to be offloaded within five days.

The plaza space was constructed entirely with elegant stone-like concrete pavers from Belgard in Phoenix. A raised stage with electrical outlets was installed along with LED pole lights to illuminate nighttime events. Adjacent areas have been seeded with drought tolerant native grasses and wildflowers.

The project was value engineered to provide the most cost efficient means of achieving the highest quality within a limited budget. Overstock pavers at a reduced price were selected for the plaza paving.