As a company, Blanchford Landscape Group loves being a part of the Bozeman and Big Sky community. After all, our team lives here just like our clients.
Over the years, that involvement has included participation in local organizations, like the Bozeman Rotary Club. Both I (Mason Shaffer) and Andy Blanchford are members of our local chapter so when a service opportunity arose to be involved in the construction of a pavilion to celebrate Rotary’s 100 years of service in Bozeman, MT, we were excited to be a part of it.
The mission was to create the Centennial Pavilion at Glen Lake Rotary Park.
In commemorating the Club’s 100th anniversary, this was the Rotary Club’s gift to the city. The park is already used year-round for outdoor activities and the goal was to create a gathering space where people could come together.
Creating a Design that Reflected the Rotary Club’s Unique Values
Our role in the Centennial Pavilion began in 2018 with the initial design and concept. We began the design process in-house at Blanchford Landscape Group but ultimately recognized it made sense to also bring an architect on board who could take this project to the next level. After all, this is a massive pavilion, designed to hold up to 50 people inside.
The pavilion represents the rotary wheel in motion as evidenced by the six individual steel pieces helping create the look of circular motion. With parts of the roof arched upward and others downward, it creates some incredibly cool shadows as it filters the light that comes into the space. These angles also help to create that sense of movement.
The choice to use metal made this pavilion timeless. It also elevates the park aesthetic and helps set a tone that this is a special place. Utilizing custom metal as opposed to a wood kit (as is so often used to build pavilions) just made a lot of sense from an aesthetic standpoint as well as making this project truly one-of-a-kind.
The steel design adds a tremendous wow factor.
While the main construction is mostly metal, in the center of the space is a tree, bringing life to the pavilion. Water drains to the center planter to help support the tree’s growth and maintenance.
A Pollinator Garden: Life in Motion
The idea of the rotary wheel in motion was also carried into the creation of a pollinator garden in the landscaped areas around the pavilion. I entitled this, “Life in Motion.” It brings life to the space both in terms of the living plant material as well as the pollinators that will be visiting. This pollinator garden will attract plenty of butterflies and bees, keeping the garden buzzing with life.
There’s a sense of balance but not perfect symmetry, creating a sense of motion in the garden itself.
Certainly, there was a lot of symbolism involved in this project and it was important that everything felt “just right.” As a pavilion that will stand in this park for years to come—to be enjoyed by many—we wanted to make sure the space properly reflected the Rotary Club’s unique values, including service in motion.
That is, the idea of volunteers continually serving others.
Many Voices, One Mission
Any time you become involved in a project of this scale for a large group, there are a collective number of voices that need to be heard. This project was a great example of the need to work with multiple committees, listen to many voices and perspectives, and ultimately make decisions that helped to meet everyone’s needs. That can be a challenge but it’s also important in coming together for a joint mission.
Blanchford Landscape Group donated quite a bit of time and money to this project because we believed in it. We were incredibly proud to be a major donating partner and help see this vision to fruition.
Going forward, a long-term goal would be to use a similar pavilion design like this in other applications. The modular nature of this design can be re-created for other organizations, even if created smaller.
Pavilions can be an amazing addition to an outdoor space, helping to increase the usage and really take it to another level. In this case, the pavilion will also be a lasting tribute to the work of the Bozeman Rotary Club.
An Authentic Outdoor Experience
At Blanchford Landscape Group, our design philosophy is focused on creating authentic outdoor experiences. We also love being involved in any opportunity that helps get people to spend more time outdoors. These factors made the Centennial Pavilion a great fit for us to be involved in.
Authentic outdoor experiences can be created for your organization or business in a way that truly reflects who you are. This project is an excellent example of the way in which symbolism can be infused into a project to make it truly one-of-a-kind.
As with any space, the goal is always to create a space that will be fully enjoyed for years to come.
Are you ready to get the process of creating an authentic outdoor experience in Bozeman or Big Sky, MT? Let’s connect and talk about your project. Then, we can meet and begin talking about your ideas.
