Browsing by Author "Hipp, Kent"

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    Conceptual master plan for Boxerwood Nature Center and Woodland Garden
    Steika, Kim; Doran, Lauren; Hipp, Kent; Wallace, I. Caroline (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2008)
    The CDAC design team began the project with an initial site visit and tour of Boxerwood with staff members Hunter Mohring and Karen Bailey. The CDAC team photographed the site as they learned about the many spaces, places, and programs at Boxerwood.
    The CDAC team returned to the site several additional times, to verify information for the existing conditions mapping, to shadow several educational programs offered to elementary school students in the County, and to talk with the teaching staff about needs and desires for the site as it related to the various age groups that Boxerwood serves.
    Following these meetings, the CDAC team developed site inventory and analysis drawings, documenting their findings to date. The CDAC team met with Boxerwood staff and board members to discuss these findings and learn about their visions for the future of Boxerwood.
    From that meeting and ensuing correspondence, the CDAC team took away valuable information that would guide the course of the remainder of the of the project. Initial conceptual design alternatives were developed. Suggestions for trail materials, ADA accessibility options, interior spaces, and entry sequence and parking were prepared. These initial design ideas were presented to Boxerwood staff and board members for review and comment.
    The conceptual master plan was refined based on the feedback received at the presentation. An illustrative existing conditions map was also developed for Boxerwood to use in combination with its current wayfinding system.
    This short support report was prepared to document the project and describe the conceptual design proposals.
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    Dante Multi-Purpose Trail: Conceptual Master Plan
    Steika, Kim; Hipp, Kent; Spratley, Cotter (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2009-03)
    Dante is a small community in Russell County, Virginia. Although today its population does not exceed 1000, it was once a thriving community rich from the abundance of coal layered in the mountains. The community boasted a population of over 4000 and served as the headquarters of the Clinchfield Coal Corporation. As is typical of many Appalachian coal towns, Dante experienced a boom and bust scenario, with the extraction of resources and eventual exodus of the economic driver, the mining industry.
    The Dante Lives On 501(c)3 Corporation was founded by residents in 2003 as a way to structure the community by providing central leadership. Their mission is “to improve the quality of life in the region by preserving, restoring, and promoting its cultural heritage while finding new ways to encourage growth and development in its communities.” Steps they are taking to fulfill this call include:
    Creating of the Dante Coal and Railroad Museum
    - Hosting of an annual reunion
    - Building of a outdoor stage for performing artists
    - Building of the Dante Coal Miner’s Memorial
    - Partnering with Russell County Chamber of Commerce to host an open-air farmers market
    - Representation on the Southwest Virginia Coal Heritage Trail planning committee
    The Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) was enlisted to aid Dante Lives On with design recommendations for a multi-use trail that will support the goals of the community organization. This assistance included conceptual trail master planning, experiential representation of the trail through sketches and perspectives, and identification of opportunities for regional trail connections.