Courtyard at Notre Dame Academy, 2001

Our Goal was to invigorate the plaza into an inspirational outdoor meeting and activity area. We created this ambitious plan with input from the community to insure success in our mutual objective. Aliberti Art Tile designed a park setting including a number of original works of art. We produced two planters. Each has a lower tier for flowers, which surrounds a central upper tier holding a blossoming ornamental tree. At the center of the courtyard there is a fountain to introduce the element of cascading water. This ceramic fountain beautifies the sound scape overpowering the sound of traffic from M.L.K. Blvd nearby.

On the north and south side of the fountain are two tables with metal bases and polychromatic tile tops. Beyond the tables we built two raised beds for residential gardens framed by 18” high masonry block, capped with an Art tile seat. Around the perimeter of the courtyard, six ceramic planters are hung at mid window height that draws the eye upward to notice the neo-gothic architecture of the old school and convent. This installation has dramatically impacted the appearance and function of the overall courtyard.

Fountain: 4'h x 6'w x 6'd
The column of the fountain was constructed by joining 8 press-molded slabs while still plastic and fired as one piece. The basin on top is also an assemblage with sculpted elements to reflect a wave pattern and leaf motif. The pool was cast as a single concrete octagon pool covered with handmade tile panels.

Two-tiered large terra cotta planters: 5’6" h x 5’3”w x 5’3”d
The sculpture of these planters reflects the surrounding neo-Gothic windows of the building while remaining contemporary in appearance. The tiles were installed on a rolling steel frame so that they are moveable. Each side panel is composed of 16 individual press molded tiles, derived from the AAT original carving.

Petal Top tables
These 3 1/2 ' wide tables were constructed of polychromatic tile. The tiles were hand drawn and cut from a single clay top and individually glazed to create the geometrically stylized floral motif surrounded by an extruded curved cove tile atop a steel base.

Hanging Planters: 18" h x 24" w
These planters are hand pressed from plaster molds, cast from an originally thrown form and have a sprigged leaf band. The band can be custom designed to a client's preference.

Overview plans presented to committee before fabrication. It shows artwork locations in relationship to the whole courtyard.