The Hyalite Pavilion has been designed to complement and fit well with its natural, rocky surroundings. The 20 feet by 50 feet structure with seating for 25 people features masonry rock walls and fireplace, and custom-designed and fabricated picnic benches and barbecue grills. The bolted connections in the beams are also specially designed and made for the site. The structure is large enough to accommodate small family reunions or wedding parties.
The shelter is the first phase of the two-phase project. Phase two, which includes hardscaping and landscaping, will be completed by early 2011 in collaboration with the Western Transportation Institute based at MSU as well as the Department of Environmental Quality. It will include a grading and hardscaping made with fly ash, a by-product of coal-fired power plants and recycled glass.
The landscape architect Ruchman noticed a need for a covered picnic shelter in the dry, rocky area that was popular because it is located off the first dam parking lot, a natural stopping spot for people approaching from Bozeman.
Students from MSU School of Architecture worked on the Hyalite Pavilion project in collaboration with the Gallatin National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service and a host of local construction professionals. Bruce Wrightsman, the MSU architecture professor, supervised the 24 students working on the project.
