Visitor Center

Main Gate & Visitor's Center Renovations

The Chautauqua Institution embarked on a long-range planning process to guide its activities into the 21st century. Key elements are improving access into the Institution for both pedestrians and vehicles, and offering a more welcoming entry experience.

The main entrance building called the Main Gate was originally a train station and served as the control point for movement into the grounds during the summer session. Short-term parking was inadequate. A visitor’s center was needed to permit easy access to ticketing and information booths for the first-time visitor.

This access improvement project included:

• Construction of new automobile and pedestrian entrances with short term parking behind the Main Gate (now the visitor’s center) which can be accessed by a new entrance drive at the opposite end of the building.

• Conversion of the Main Gate to a visitor’s center with a glass-enclosed lobby allowing the historic features of the building to be seen from the outside, and defining a user-friendly information and ticketing space, a retail area, a main visitor lounge and orientation space.

• Organization of automobile traffic in the main parking lot across Route 394, and alignment of the new entrance and exit at the Main Gate with the installation of a traffic signal on Route 394.

• Construction of pedestrian shelters in the main parking lot and inside the new entrance-gate to be used for drop-off and as bus stops.

• Landscaping of area around Main Gate and in Main Parking Lot.
  

Architectural Portfolio - The Chautauqua Institution - Main Gate

Main Gate / Improved pedestrian access

Client
The Chautauqua Institution

Professional Services
Schematic Design
Final Design
Construction Documents
Civil / Site Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Survey & Mapping