Center City Park: A Purpleheart Pavilion in Greensboro
Another feature that attracted Touloukian to the purpleheart lumber was that it came in very long lengths. "We were able to obtain 16-foot and even 18-foot planks, which were very useful for this application," he noted. Touloukian used the longer planks to envelop structural steel beams giving them the appearance of solid wood beams and used more moderate lengths for the structural applications. "That extreme length is pretty rare," Touloukian explained.
Center City Park, with its seven louvered pergolas and vaulted pavilion, occupies an urban block in downtown Greensboro. The park also boasts a fountain, sculptural elements and interpretive graphics on the paving and plaza areas. The pavilion itself contains storage areas, support facilities for vendors and special events, and plumbing and mechanical equipment for the park operations. Its 18- to 23-foot cantilevered roof shelters space for community gatherings, outdoor performances and special events.
The roof is detailed with a folded purpleheart wall and soffit made from tongue and groove panels assembled in an alternating pattern. Continuous steel support beams are wrapped with pressure-treated blocking and finished with ripped purpleheart wood that splays out gradually.
The space between the beam enclosures tapers at the roof's edge to create a ribbed effect evocative of a woven fabric and analogous to the porous louvered pergolas nearby. Silicon bronze plaques knitted into the purpleheart wall recognize the donors whose philanthropy underwrote construction of the park.
The pergolas provide shade and sheltered seating in the park. They are oriented to create a gateway from the street and to overlook the park's lawn and outdoor performance area. The pergolas are constructed of two different types of shop-fabricated box rafters assembled from 2' by 12' wood planks ripped to profiles that create a fluttering edge.
All of the park's features were designed to reflect the rich history and varied culture of Greensboro, and specifically its heritage of weaving and textile production. The structures are intricately detailed to reflect the shuttle and weaving looms of the textile mills that once made Greensboro the heart of the southern textile industry. In the early 20th century Greensboro was home to many large mills, such as Crone Mills and Burlington Industries, and was celebrated for its denim and flannel fabric and its sturdy jeans, overalls and work clothes.
Structures throughout the park emphasize the city's proud industrial tradition. In the pavilion, for example, the tongue and groove panels of standard and custom sizes alternate to form a warp and woof pattern. "Even the gradual changes in color and texture of the purpleheart wood contribute to the textured material design aspect," notes Touloukian. "It's sort of like a pair of faded denims that gain more character as they age."
Frequently asked questions
What wood species was used for the Center City Park pavilion in Greensboro?+
The pavilion was built using purpleheart lumber, chosen in part because it was available in unusually long lengths of 16 and even 18 feet.
Why did the architect choose purpleheart lumber for the pavilion?+
Touloukian selected purpleheart because it came in very long lengths, which was useful for the application. The 16- and 18-foot planks were used to envelop structural steel beams so they appeared to be solid wood beams.
How was the pavilion roof designed?+
The roof features a folded purpleheart wall and soffit made from tongue and groove panels assembled in an alternating pattern. Its 18- to 23-foot cantilevered roof shelters space for community gatherings, outdoor performances and special events.
How are the steel beams in the pavilion concealed?+
Continuous steel support beams are wrapped with pressure-treated blocking and finished with ripped purpleheart wood that splays out gradually, giving them the appearance of solid wood beams.
What design theme inspired Center City Park's structures?+
The park's features were designed to reflect Greensboro's heritage of weaving and textile production. The structures are intricately detailed to evoke the shuttle and weaving looms of the textile mills that once made Greensboro the heart of the southern textile industry.
How are the pergolas at Center City Park constructed?+
The pergolas are constructed of two different types of shop-fabricated box rafters assembled from 2' by 12' wood planks ripped to profiles that create a fluttering edge. They provide shade and sheltered seating and are oriented to create a gateway from the street.
How are donors recognized at Center City Park?+
Silicon bronze plaques are knitted into the purpleheart wall of the pavilion to recognize the donors whose philanthropy underwrote construction of the park.