In 1986, the Becton Dickinson Corporation commissioned Michael Singer to design gardens in two interior atrium spaces at their new corporate headquarters. The building architect is Kallman, McKinnell and Wood. The Corporation expanded this facility to include a new Center for Research and Development in 1990, and Singer was asked to design the large exterior courtyard. The project includes a large garden with sculptural elements referring to Singer's 1986 work for the interior atrium spaces in the corporate headquarters building. Upon entering the Research Building, there is a view of the large courtyard space framed by the east and west wings of the building, opening to the north view of the surrounding woodlands. The land slopes downhill towards the north. Singer designed several low stone retaining walls around terraces stepping down towards the wooded area. There are sculptural elements both below and above the ground level of the terraces, as well as water pools supplied by a channel adjacent to the garden pathway. The water in this channel collects in the lowest pool where it gently falls into a cistern returning to the upper-most terrace water feature. The large courtyard is viewed from offices on the upper floors surrounding it, revealing the overall garden and details of the sculptural elements.

Artist: Michael Singer
Project Managers: Sterling McMurrin, Jim Winters
Project Builders: David Hyman, Zach Kron, Matt Anders, Dan Snow, Sandra Donovan, Raimondi Horticultural
Becton Dickinson Curator: Mary Lanier
Photo Credit: David Stansbury

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