Project Showcase: Belden Plank Pavers at Longwood Reimagined Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

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Oct 15, 2026

When Reed Hilderbrand and Weiss/Manfredi set out to harmonize the 19th-century tradition and bold, 21st-century vision of the famed Longwood Gardens, a 1,100-acre public horticultural display and educational center in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, they needed a hardscape material equal to the project’s ambition. The Belden Brick Company’s Graystone Standard Plank Pavers now serve as the architectural thread connecting a soaring glass conservatory with immersive landscape design.br>

Designing a World-Class Canvas: The West Conservatory Terrace

Among the many facets of Longwood Gardens’ ambitious Longwood Reimagined project, completed in November 2024, the new West Conservatory stands out. Designed by Weiss/Manfredi (New York, NY), the striking, 32,000-square-foot glass structure includes asymmetrical peaks that replicate the rolling hills of the surrounding Brandywine Valley. Inside, a Mediterranean garden created by Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Reed Hilderbrand features three planted islands set on a pool of water and animated by bridges, canals, and low fountains.



Due to the scale of the architecture, the outdoor terrace surrounding the West Conservatory needed to stand out without overshadowing the landscape. The surface had to feel both grounded and contemporary. To achieve that balance, Reed Hilderbrand chose Belden Brick's Graystone Plank Pavers. This selection provided the project with the necessary linear geometry and consistent, subtle color. The elongated shape adds a distinctly modern look, while the kiln-fired clay ties the project to a longstanding architectural tradition.

Balancing Modern Geometry and Tradition with Dual Paver Patterns

Across the West Conservatory Terrace, the plank-shaped clay pavers appear in two complementary installations. The herringbone pattern anchors circulation areas, with its interlocking geometry distributing load and resisting lateral movement underfoot. As a herringbone paver design, it also integrates visually with an angular repetition, creating directional energy that guides visitors and an appearance that’s both structured and dynamic against the fluid forms of the surrounding gardens.



Where the design calls for quieter resolution, the running bond paver pattern takes over. Each running bond unit is offset by half from the course above and below, creating horizontal continuity that lets the eye rest. In open terrace areas, the running bond brickwork reinforces a sense of modern calm that complements the conservatory beyond. Together, the herringbone paver design and the running bond pavers demonstrate how installation geometry can do real design work.

How the Plank Paver Format Unites Contemporary Aesthetics and Durability

Choosing Belden Brick's Plank Pavers was a design decision in itself. Measuring 4 x 2¼ x 12 inches, the Graystone standard plank paver features an elongated shape that departs from traditional clay pavers, creating a sleek, linear aesthetic that aligns with the project's contemporary vision.

The through-body color ensures the sophisticated gray palette remains consistent, even under the heavy foot traffic common in a major public garden. Additionally, the kiln-fired clay construction provides UV resistance, low absorption, and long-term performance in an outdoor institutional setting. These factors are critical for a destination that welcomes visitors year-round.



Owner: Longwood Gardens
Architect: WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism
Landscape Architect: Reed Hilderbrand LLC
Landscape Contractor: Edgewood Hardscape Solutions
General Contractor: Bancroft Construction
Brick Distributor: Diener Brick Company
Photography: Becca Mathias

RECOGNITION:
Longwood Reimagined was named Best in Culture at The Architect's Newspaper 2025 Best of Design Awards and recognized as a Project of the Year finalist. Both honors reflect the ambition and execution of the entire design team.

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