Browsing by Author "Houck, Chris"

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    Clinch River Valley Regional Visitor Center Conceptual Design
    Gilboy, Elizabeth; Schellhammer, Christopher; Black, Kenneth Allan; Burg, Gardner; Houck, Chris; Saeidi-Rizi, Fatemeh; Walker, Harley (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2013-06)
    St. Paul is a small but vibrant town in southwestern Virginia with a rich history. Situated along the Clinch River and holding land in both Russell and Wise Counties, it is strategically located and poised to serve as a gateway to the region’s natural assets. The Clinch River is internationally renowned for its biological diversity and is a regional asset. Thus, the Clinch River and other complimentary assets (existing trail systems, Wetlands Estonoa, etc.) are a primary focus for a new creative economy dealing with tourism.

    To enrich the new plan for economic development and to communicate the ecological and tourism potential of Southwest Virginia, the region’s advocates are exploring the concept of an entry gateway. This gateway would serve four counties and the City of Norton and act as a regional visitor center.

    The Town and Russell County received permission from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to develop an entry gateway along US 58 on a piece of property bound by US 58, St. Paul Road, and County Road 640 (Frosty Road) and recently conveyed the site to Russell County. Elements envisioned for the space include a LEED certified regional visitor center that highlights the four counties along the Clinch River in Southwest Virginia, enhanced plantings, signage, parking, an informational kiosk, and possibly a small covered shelter. Vehicular entry to the site will be provided from County Road 640. The site and structure would highlight and respond to the Clinch River, offering views to the nearby river as well as educational and recreational information about the Clinch.The Town and Russell County received permission from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to develop an entry gateway along US 58 on a piece of property bound by US 58, St. Paul Road, and County Road 640 (Frosty Road) and recently conveyed the site to Russell County. Elements envisioned for the space include a LEED certified regional visitor center that highlights the four counties along the Clinch River in Southwest Virginia, enhanced plantings, signage, parking, an informational kiosk, and possibly a small covered shelter. Vehicular entry to the site will be provided from County Road 640. The site and structure would highlight and respond to the Clinch River, offering views to the nearby river as well as educational and recreational information about the Clinch.

    Funding for this project has been provided by a USDA Forest Service (Region 8) Competitive Grant through the Southern Group of State Foresters in partnership with the Virginia Department of Forestry. In the spirit of this partnership, the project will build awareness of regional forestry-related industries through the thoughtful design, specification and implementation of landscape architecture material, architectural material and construction practices. The Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) was asked to assist the Town of St. Paul and St. Paul Tomorrow, Inc. with a conceptual master plan for this entry gateway. CDAC worked with St. Paul Tomorrow, Inc., Town Council, VDOT, and the local community to refine the program and develop a concept for the visitor center. This report is a compilation of these design concepts.
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    Luray greenway extension & waterfront pocket park : conceptual designs, Luray, VA
    Gilboy, Elizabeth; Browning, Lara; Houck, Chris; Shealy, Kaitlin; Smith, Jessica (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2013-11)
    The downtown of Luray is a major hub for activities, festivals, and commerce within the small town. Ruffner's Plaza, located just off the greenway allows a public space for residents and visitors alike. The community area has become a place of year-round gathering, hosting summer concerts and fall festivals. [1] Taken from project application dated August 2012

    Hoping to further enhance the Main Street, the Town is proposing to add a pocket park located adjacent to Main Street in the Town center. Luray would like the park to be a gathering place for residents and tourists to fish, relax, and enjoy Hawksbill Creek and the Greenway, both of which are immediately adjacent to the property. The existing bridge is in the preliminary planning stages of renovation. Therefore, the pocket park design could be partnered with that project to help transform the downtown as well.

    Upon visiting the overgrown site with several Town leaders, the CDAC team members realized the great potential of the pocket park to act as a natural focal point and fishing node for downtown visitors.
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    Reynolds Homestead : Community Enrichment Center, Critz, VA
    Gilboy, Elizabeth; Korkuti, Arian; Houck, Chris; Sergeyev, Ivan; Walker, Harley (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2012-12)
    As a Commonwealth Campus Center of Virginia Tech, the Reynolds Homestead Community Enrichment Center provides educational and cultural programs for the residents of Patrick County and the surrounding communities in Virginia and North Carolina. A wide variety of classes are offered such as music, art, lectures, children’s activities, fitness programs & movies. Located in Critz, Virginia, the current facility (constructed in the 1980s) does not meet current program demands. Consequently, the Reynolds Homestead asked the Community Design Assistance Center to conduct a design feasibility study to determine a program plan of space needed and develop conceptual drawings for a renovation/addition to the current facility.