Browsing by Author "Thomas, Jordan"
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- Discovering the Aesthetic of Flood Control InfrastructureThomas, Jordan (Virginia Tech, 2012-04-26)Infrastructure plays an instrumental role in the shaping of the landscape across many scales and is a critical human component within the landscape, yet these systems have tended to ignore the function of appearance and aesthetics in their design. Consequently, the relationship between our infrastructure, the environment, and us has become increasingly opaque. The majority of the vast infrastructure systems that weave throughout the landscape promote a mono-functional agenda which is relegated to the background of our everyday experiences. By investigating the traditional methods of designing infrastructure, we can begin to understand how to integrate aesthetics into the design of infrastructure. This is explored through one of the largest infrastructure systems in the United States; flood control. Flood control infrastructure in is an extensive system that has formed a protective barrier between human and natural processes for over 200 years. Its largest component, the levee, is an elegantly simple structure that contains many layers of significant cultural and historic aesthetic narratives. This thesis focuses on the levee as an infrastructure that mediates between natural processes and human development and studies how it can perform aesthetically to convey new meaning and value. What is the potential of the levee to become expressive in our lives, and be designed in such a way to move us? This new infrastructural paradigm explores the implications of utilizing aesthetics as an expressive and significant function of levee design that can inform and inspire the public and define a new dialogue between man, nature, and technology.
- Pamplin entryway designsGilboy, Elizabeth; Marshall, Ashleigh; Steika, Kim; Abu Bakar, Shamsul; Thomas, Jordan; Cox, Stephen; Howell, Anne (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2012-10)Pamplin City is a small community whose downtown is located in Appomattox County just off of US 460, between Appomattox and Farmville. “The town has recently begun a revitalization process, which has included Appomattox County library bringing in an Annex site to the former Pamplin City Train Depot used by the Norfolk and Southern Railroad Company. This renovated train depot serves as a library and meeting place for the town and frequently sees many of the town’s inhabitants on holidays or special occasions when gatherings are scheduled.” Also nearby is the newly opened High Bridge Trail State Park. The trail will soon extend into Pamplin. Sewer line improvements are also in the works. It is hoped that these improvements will continue to improve the downtown area.
The Community Design Assistance Center believes that entryway landscapes and signage could support and enhance current improvement efforts and draw attention to the downtown area. Through a partnership with the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Design Center was able to off er a Virginia Department of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry grant to develop a conceptual design for each of the two entrance areas into town (see circle areas project site map above). The street design for the approach to downtown from the west (Route 460 to 47 to Main Street) is a hard left offering few sight lines for the traveler into town. The road design “forces” the driver to look in another direction drawing attention away from the downtown area. A vacant piece of land is located in the area to the right of the old barbershop (top circle, project site map) that could become a nicely landscaped area with a welcome sign. - Redbud Run conservation area conceptual master planGilboy, Elizabeth; Steika, Kim; Thomas, Jordan; Heile, Laurel; Sokol, Laura; Sumpter, C. LaDell; Poteet, Tish (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2011-10-01)Several local partners are working closely with the Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries on the development of a management plan for the Redbud preservation parcel. A series of conceptual trail routes are being proposed to accommodate a variety of user groups.
- Sydnor Jennings Elementary School teaching garden and facilities improvement projectGilboy, Elizabeth; Day, Susan D.; Steika, Kim; Thomas, Jordan; Choi, Bee; Poteet, Tish (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2011-06-01)Recognizing the importance of outdoor experiential education to children's health, well-being, and academic achievement, the SJES faculty want to turn the courtyard into a teaching garden for hands-on activities and experimentation, helping boost academic achievement. An improved courtyard will benefit the school aesthetically and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment in faculty and students.