University Plaza, or more commonly The Brickyard, is a public plaza at the heart of North Carolina State University's North Campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is the university's most active court and has been the site of numerous special events.
The plaza, conceived of and designed by landscape architect Richard C. Bell, FASLA, is mostly covered with red and white bricks which have been organized into various decorative mosaics. There are two main green areas on the plaza, one on the east side and one on the west. The east green area features two concrete chairs which serve as parabolic reflectors, amplifying and focusing sound waves so that someone sitting in one chair can easily hear the person in the other chair from a far distance. Harrelson Hall, a cylindrical classroom building is situated on the southeast corner of the plaza; D. H. Hill Library is located on the north side of the Brickyard.
Many university-sponsored events take place on the Brickyard, including the annual Habitat for Humanity Shack-a-thon. Shacks are built on the Brickyard and viewed by students, as well as the public, as a fundraiser for the Habitat for Humanity. This is an annual event that takes place every autumn.
The Stanley Cup made an appearance on the plaza on December 4, 2006. Students were able to touch the cup and take pictures with the cup. Its appearance followed the Carolina Hurricanes's 2006 Stanley Cup Championship win, which was won at Raleigh's RBC Center.
A prototype NASA Crew Return Vehicle once made an appearance on the Brickyard. Speeches were given beside it.
North Carolina State University's Earth Day[1] celebration occurs on the Friday before April 22 each year. The event highlights the environmental research and outreach efforts of NC State students, staff, and faculty. North Carolina State University's 2007 event featured over 60 exhibitors, making it one of the larger Earth Day events in the Triangle area.
Every Wednesday the North Carolina Farmers' Market comes to the Brickyard.
