Design Challenge: The outdoor plaza at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology was a rarely used, outdated space in need of renovation. The desire to create an open and welcoming plaza led the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to hold a design competition to find the best team for the project. As the winning design team, MSP was commissioned to create and implement the new space.

Design Solution: MSP worked in collaboration with Father Anthony of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on the initial vision. Father Anthony had visited Italy and liked the idea of an Italian piazza-inspired plaza. Following that vision, MSP created a plan that would also allow student interaction in the centrally located piazza. MSP’s surveying and engineering departments contributed their expertise to the intricate details of the project such as resolving the drainage aspect with precise layout of the pavement pattern.

Design Outcome: Inspired by the buildings’ stained glass window panels, MSP created a unique and stunning design pattern for the piazza. With the new fountain, seating and green areas, and St. Mary’s statue, the new piazza is a pleasant outdoor gathering area for students and staff.