Stevens Institute of Technology Torch Bearers Renovations

In the middle of Stevens Institute of Technology’s upper campus stands a statue by the famed sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington. Gifted to the institute in 1964, the statue is a 16 foot tall, aluminum cast equestrian statue symbolizing the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next.

Previously encircled by a large landscape bed, the statue needed an update to its surrounding to encourage accessible interaction with this important piece of artwork. Derck & Edson’s new design creates a grander “stage” for the sculpture through the addition of a unit paver walkway set in concentric rings around its base, edged in cobble stone for a more traditional aesthetic. Paved entrance landings placed in the four cardinal directions create welcoming entrance points which, save for one, are flush with the grade of the exterior lawn. The new design seeks to invite passerby to interact with the statue and the newly restored informational display, and to peruse the new space to find the best angle for a commemorative photo.