The 1986-built Lake Harriet Band Shell, which is one of the Minneapolis
park system's most recognizable attractions, was recently honored for
its lasting design.
The
American Institute of Architects Minnesota chapter (AIA MN) chose the landmark for its 25-Year Award for 2011.
Stephanie
Pelzer, who is the awards program coordinator for AIA MN, says that the
jury for the annual award took into account the band shell's "unique style that's open to
the community."
Besides its paint color, the popular band shell
has barely changed through the years, which is a testimony to the
quality of its original construction, according to a prepared statement
about the award.
Minneapolis-based
Bentz/Thompson/Rietow designed the band shell with inspiration from the site's previous Shingle-style structures, an
Architecture Minnesota story reads.
The
piece also notes that the resulting structure nods to an 1891 plan for
the site involving spires and a romantic turret and eyebrow truss. The 1986 features
complement the vast picture window that overlooks the lake.
Additionally,
adjustable acoustic panels and a steeply pitched roof, with a stage
that channels sound away from nearby residential areas, make it a good
concert venue, according to a prepared statement about the award.
Also on the site is a dining area and boathouse, which came later but were a part of the band shell master plan.
Besides
sprucing up the lake's then-rundown north shore, Lake Harriet's band
shell "set the tone for others to
follow," Pelzer says. At the time, many band shells were too
"cookie-cutter," she says. In this case, the jury appreciated that "the
architect took the time to study the context of the site," she adds.
Source: Stephanie Pelzer, Awards Program Coordinator, AIA MN
Writer: Anna Pratt