HADDAD | DRUGAN

Millennium Plaza was commissioned as a public artwork to mark the millennium, at the entry to a popular community center. The design plays on the concept of time in that its overall look is of a modern aesthetic, while its art elements draw on ancient icons.

A prominent stainless steel pyramid is an icon of the community’s accumulated history, and houses a time capsule filled by Kent citizens. Another time capsule filled by first grade students is located beneath a smaller cast iron pyramid. It will be opened when they graduate from high school, at which time it will be refilled and replaced. On the day the time capsules were sealed an ice pyramid with memorabilia frozen into it was installed on a concrete pedestal.

A sundial acts as a time-keeping device to accompany the time capsules, and is the focal point of a small seating area. A boxwood garden that is clipped to demonstrate a control over time is juxtaposed with a native plant garden surrounding the plaza that grows wild to show the passage of time. The native plants also act as a "natural" time capsule. Crushed stone paths and concrete seating and paving elements tie together the various art pieces.