Pulaski Institute of Design Dormitory and Student Life Complex, Pulaski, Virginia A Thesis Statement Submitted to the Faculty of the Architecture Department In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Architecture At The Savannah College of Art and Design By Christopher P. Shomo
This is the architecture thesis project of Christopher Shomo, M. Arch for the Savannah College of Art and Design. The project shows how Pulaski, Virginia could transform itself into a college town by establishing the Pulaski Institute of Design. An "intentional side-effect" of a college in Pulaski should encourage economic growth in the historic "Main Street" town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The site for the school would be the Pulaski Furniture Plant buildings. The architectural focus is on the Dormitory and Student Life Center along with a master site plan of a new campus.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Pulask i I nst i tute of Design
Dormitor y and Student L i fe Complex, Pulask i , Vi rginia
A Thesis Statement Submitted to the Facult y of the Architec ture Depar tmentI n Par t ia l Ful f i l lment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Architec ture
At
The Savannah Col lege of Ar t and Design
By
Christopher P. Shomo
A special thanks goes out to Fernando Munilla, Catalina Strother, and Tony Thomas
for all of their help and encouragement throughout the design process.
4
~Table of Contents~
Introduct ion: Pg. 8
C hapter 1
Welcome t o P u lask i , V irg inia:A Histor ic Main Street Town Pg. 12
C hapter 2
T h e C o l l a p s e o f A Fu r n i t u r e To w n :The Success of
Pulaski Furniture Corporat ion Pg. 20
P ulas ki Demog raphic s: Pg. 26
I n d u s t r i a l Pre s e r v a t i o n :The Rehabi l i tat ion ofIndustr ia l Her i tage Pg. 30
C hapter 3
College To wn U SA:Intent ional S ide Effects Pg. 56
Cr eatin g: a Landscaped Park… a Socia l , Cultura l and Economic Center…
a New “Symbol” of the Community… Pg. 58
Inter vie w with Alder man T homas Pg. 74
C hap t er 4
Q u a l i t a t i ve :Spacia l Intent ions for Rehabi l i tat ion Pg. 82
C hap t er 5
Desig n:The New Campus Pg. 92
Master S ite P lan Pg. 113
C hap t er 6
Desig n Focus:Dormitor y and Student Life Complex Pg. 92
Code Requirements Pg. 122
The Dorm Room - Development Pg. 132
C hap t er 7
Student Lounge - Community Pg. 92
5
C hapte r 8
Environmental Control :Seasons of the South Wal l Pg. 170
C hapte r 9
Structure Pg. 184
“Cyc lone Stairs” Pg. 198
C hapte r 10
P u l a s k i I n s t i t u t e o f D e s i g nDormitor y and Student Life Complex Pg. 211
Final Project Board Pg. 225
6
7777777777777777777
8
~Introduction~
PTransforming the historic Pulaski Furni-
ture Plant into a design school will re-
store the buildings, boost the local econ-
omy, and intensify a community already
rich in cultural history.
With the influence of the restored furniture plant, historic downtown, and beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Pulaski Institute of Design will exist to prepare talented students for the art and design industries.
The restored Pulaski Furniture Complex will pro-vide a unique college campus setting different from any existing facility of higher education in Virginia. While many institutions in Virginia offer their own art departments, the only school that is dedicated primarily to the design in-dustry lies 300 miles away at the Art Institute of Washington, DC. It is one thing to build a college campus from ground up, but an entirely different experience attending a school a color-
P ulaski Fur niture Building - image edited to inc lude “ P ulaski Inst i t ute o f Desig n” s ig n
ulaski Institute of Design:
9
ful past; a restored memory of the heart and soul of a community.
Like many small towns in America, the economy in recession has pushed businesses out of Pu-laski at alarming rates. The historic main street sits almost empty, described as hustling and bustling only on trial days at the courthouse. Establishing a college will entice commerce to once again thrive in the downtown area. Restau-rants and shops will appear, catering not only to students, but to existing and future residents of Pulaski.
Figure 1: Aerial photo of the Pulask i Furniture Complex
10
11111111111111111
Chapter 1
12
~Chapter 1~
Welcome to P ulaski , V irg inia:A Histor ic Main Street Town
Pulaski, Virginia is a historic main street
town in the New River Valley, nestled within
the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The Town
(Population 9, 062 – 2007 Census) lies 13 miles
from the Interstate 77 and 81 intersection, and
is in close proximity to Wytheville, Blacksburg,
and the cities of Radford and Roanoke. Virginia
Tech and Radford University are both a short
drive away, while a 10 minute journey through
the countryside will take you to the New River
Community College, and the Pulaski County
High School Campus in the town of Dublin.
Figure 2:
Cour thouse
Clock Tower
13
Figure 3: Pulask i County Cour thouse
14
Originally in an area known as “Mar-
tin’s Tank” for the early iron and zinc industry
and later “Martin’s Station” from the influence
of the Virginia Tennessee Railroad, Pulaski
County dedicated its name in 1839 to Count
Casimir Pulaski who perished during the Civil
War in Savannah, Georgia. The first county
seat resided in the small town of Newburn
until a fire destroyed the courthouse in 1893.
Eyes focused on the recently incorporated
“City of Pulaski” which soon became the site
for the new county seat two years later. The
Town of Pulaski was established and the new
courthouse, now regarded as an icon of the
county, was completed in 1896 (History).
Figures 7, 8, and 9 ( f rom lef t ) :The Pulask i Tra in Depot was bui l t in 1896, the same year as the cour thouse. The bui lding was ful ly restored in the mid 1980’s and is now the R aymond F. R atc l i f fe Memoria l Museum( White, Town Tour 9)
Figure 6:Ear ly photo of the Pulask i Tra in Depot
Figure 4 and 5: Ber tha Zinc Commissar y ( lef t )Ber tha Zinc Company, 1890 ( r ight) :
The Commissar y Bui ld ing, an example of “Br ick Row ” st y le construc t ion, i s current ly a pr ivate res i -dence owned by M ickey Seagle ( White, Town Tour 6).
15
T h e N e w R i ve r i s famous for being the second old-est k nown Nor th-f lowing r iver. I t i s a lso the s i te for the area’s epic s tor y : “ The Long Way Home,” a drama that depic ts the l i fe stor y of Mar y Draper I ngles. The play captured audiences at an outdoor stage in R adford f rom 1971 to 2000.
The economy was booming in the
town of Pulaski in the late 19th century.
Though the main industry remained Agricul-
tural based, four major companies arrived
in the area: the Bertha Zinc Company, the
charcoal fire Boom Furnace near Allisonia,
the Pulaski Iron Company, and Dora Fur-
nace. Inspired by the growing area, Norfolk
& Western railroad ran two lines through the
town and made a remarkable contribution by
constructing the Maple Shade Inn (History 1).
Pulaski was now a destination. The
arrival of the 20th century saw visitors travel-
ing into the Pulaski Train Depot to stay at the
Maple Shade, or Pulaski Hotel. Main Street
remained busy with shoppers, and local the-
aters entertained packed audiences.
Figure 10 : The Maple Shade I nn, 1884This i s now the s i te of the
M aple Shade Business Park .
Figure 11:
Charac ter of Mar y I ngles
Figure 12: the New R iver Val ley f rom above
“I n July of 1755, Shawnee I ndians, a l l ied with the French, ra ided the ear ly Western Virginia Front ier. The result of one of those ra ids was Mar y Draper I ngles’ Journey, The Long way Home. You can exper ience this h istor ic epic in Ear l Hobson Smith’s most st i r r ing play, which is now des-ignated as “ Virginia’s H istor ical Out-door Drama of the Commonwealth .”
Come see this t rue heroic adventure depic t ing M ar y Draper I ngles’ 850 mi le escape through some of the most rugged, and then unexplored terra in of the Nor th American Con-t inent by fo l lowing the r ivers. A t r ip f raught with danger to give warning of a second I ndian attack , her incred-ible journey… (Laura Osborne, a Roa-noke.com, ( Vi rginia) .”
16
Works Cited
“History of Pulaski County.” Pulaski County. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Dec. 2008. <http://www.pulaskicounty.org/Misc_htm/History of Pulaski County.htm>.
“Virginia State Historical Outdoor Drama: The Long Way Home.” e-ReferenceDesk - 50 State Learning Resource Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Dec. 2008. <http://www.e-referencedesk.com/resources/state-symbols/virginia/historical-outdoor-drama.html>.
White, John B. “Town Tour.” The Town of Pulaski, Virginia. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Dec. 2008. <http://www.pulaskitown.org/townofpulaski.aspx>.
White, John B. Pulaski (Images of America: Virginia). Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2008. Print.
Saturday, Februar y 17, 2007Pulask i Furniture to close last U.S. plantBy Angela M anese -Lee - Roanoke Times
Pulask i Furniture Corp. announced Fr iday that i t wi l l c lose i ts last do -mest ic manufac tur ing plant by late Apr i l , lay ing of f about 260 people and level ing a s igni f icant blow to Pulask i ’s economy.
Fol lowing the cur io cabinet plant ’s c losure, the 52-year- old company wi l l cont inue to house warehouse, customer ser v ice and other opera-t ions in Pulask i , and a news re lease sa id the company does not expec t the c los ing to have any ef fec t on i ts del iver ies to dealers.
“ This i s par t of a t rend within the furniture industr y that cont inues the shi f t of domest ical ly manufac-tured furniture to of f shore pro -duc t ion, especia l ly to As ia ,” Vice Pres ident of Operat ions Lamont Hope sa id in the re lease. “Our competit ion, by moving produc t ion of f shore, has created such pr ic ing pressure that our domest ic opera-t ion can no longer compete (Manese-Lee, Pulaski) .”
Fr iday, December 14, 2007Developers buy old Pulask i Furniture plantBy Angela Manese -Lee - Roanoke Times
Roughly e ight months af ter Pulask i Furniture c losed i ts last domest ic furniture plant , end-ing an era of large scale furniture manufac tur-ing in Pulask i , t wo real estate developers have purchased the company ’s mass ive, downtown fac i l i t y, br inging hope - - and a bit of re l ief - - to a communit y hi t hard by layoffs .
But the sa le won’t necessar i ly mean the return of b ig industr y.
Asheboro, N.C . , developer John Schwar z sa id he and his brother Jef f purchased the plant for “over a mi l l ion dol lars” with plans to lease the fac i l i t y for a var iet y of uses - - f rom boat bui lding and storage to cabinetmak ing.
There was one business here, there could be 20,” Schwar z sa id of the plant ’s sprawl ing, mult i -bui lding campus. “ We’ve a l ready rented to prob -ably hal f a dozen new tenants.”
M ixed in with the new tenants wi l l be an old one.
Schwar z sa id Pulask i Furniture, which maintains of f ice and warehouse operat ions on the s i te, wi l l cont inue to occupy about a thi rd of the more than 1 mi l l ion square feet under lease.
The fac i l i t y ’s remaining space wi l l l ike ly house a var iet y of new and re located business.
Schwar z , who, with his brother, owns several o ld furniture plants in Nor th Carol ina , sa id he has leased 30,000 to 35,000 square feet and received addit ional interest f rom other sources.
“ Whatever they want , we’ l l accommodate them and get some people back to work here,” he sa id (Manese-Lee, Developers) .
Figure 1
21
~Chapter 2~T h e C o l l a p s e o f A Fur n i t u r e
To wn:The Success of
Pulaski Furniture Corporat ion
The Pulask i Veneer and Furniture Corpo -
rat ion was founded in 1955 by Thomas
J . McCar thy, Sr. , Fred A. Stanley, Sr. , and
Col in R ichardson. The f i rst l ine of fur-
niture consisted of low pr iced bedroom
sets with s imple designs geared towards
easy manufac tur ing. Two years later
Pulask i ’s successful label reached show-
rooms in Chicago (American Furniture
Market in Oc tober 1957) , and by 1960
they purchased Morr is Novelt y Corpora-
t ion of Mar t insvi l le, Vi rginia , makers of
smal l “occas ional tables” and other “nov-
Figure 2: recent bedroom set by Pulask i Furniture Corporat ion
Pulask i Furniture Corporat ion Logo
elt y furniture.”
The focus of the company was now on cur io cabinets. These
were shelves designed to showcase col lec tables. The pieces
were descr ibed as having an expensive, s t y l ized “Pulask i look ,”
but pr iced so anyone could af ford. Business was r is ing and
with the ref ined name: “Pulask i Furniture Corporat ion”, the 60’s
brought sa les beyond $7 mi l l ion!
22
G o o g l e M a p s
23
24
25
I n 1967 Bernard “Bunny ” C . Wampler be -
came pres ident and sought out cont inu-
ous growth and encouraged divers i t y in
the manufac tur ing l ine of Pulask i Furni -
ture. Accent pieces, occas ional tables,
and hand painted armoires star ted ap -
pear ing with Pulask i ’s name on them.
Col lec t ion af ter col lec t ion cont inued to
be developed, and by 1985 sa les grew
above $74 mi l l ion ( Pu l a s k i ) .
1987 marked the beginning of a “down-
turn in the furniture industr y.” American
spending went down in a mini - recess ion
that occurred in 1989, and l ike many
companies, Pulask i Furniture star ted to
look for ways to cut cost . By establ ishing
connec t ions with Asia , they were able to
star t impor t ing “ready-to -f in ish” pieces
to sel l under the Pulask i brand. By 2005,
over hal f of the produc ts were impor ted, and revenues peaked
above $200 mi l l ion ( Pu l a s k i ) .
I n Oc tober of 2006, an announcement was made that Pulask i
Furniture would c lose i ts last remaining plant in the US, and
would be immediately lay ing of f 119 people. Apr i l of 2007 came
and the plant stopped operat ing, giv ing another 260 job - loss
blow to Pulask i ’s economy. Unemployment rates of the count y
jumped to 6 .8% (State : 2 .4%) and then sett led down to 4 .8 % by
S eptember of 2007 (Manese-Lee, Developers) .
26
P ul ask i De mog r ap hics:
D e m o g ra p h i c s f r o m : e p o d u n k . co m
27
28
Works Cited
Manese-Lee, Angela. “Developers Buy Old Pulaski Furniture Plant.” Roanoke.com. The Roanoke Times, 14 Dec. 2007. Web. 28 Dec. 2008. <http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/143395>.
Manese-Lee, Angela. “Pulaski Furniture to Close Last U.S. Plant.” Roanoke.com. The Roanoke Times, 17 Feb. 2007. Web. 28 Dec. 2008. <http://www.roanoke.com/nrv/wb/104944>.
Figure1: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/z0302a1700/Ex tra .gi f Pg.20
Figure 2: http://w w w.homelement .com/images/PF-662100_10_40_24_80_81_8. jpg Pg.21
29
30
Industrial Preservation:Th e Rehabilitation ofIndustrial Heritage
The rehabilitation of historic industrial
sites can regenerate land deemed hazardous for
the community, restore public revenue through
adaptive reuse, and preserve memories from
past industries that played an important role in
the area’s economic past. The stylistic nature
of historic industrial buildings and sites makes
them prime candidates for demolition rather
than preservation, therefore placing them on an
endangered list. The sites have suff ered criticism
dating all the way back to A.W. Pugin, when in
1836 he did drawings contrasting London before
the Industrial Revolution, and after (Figure 1). He
was pushing his ideas forward that the city was
healthier without the industrialized aesthetic, and
that they should go back to Gothic Style structures
that provide a stronger morality to the population. Figure 1: Comparat ive drawings by Pugin (1836) contrast ing
London, before and af ter the I ndustr ia l Revolut ion. He is ask ing the quest ion: Which is better?
31
As preservationists it is imperative to understand
why industrial sites should be saved, and how
they document human activity throughout a
community’s past. After all, history must take
in account not only the living, but the working
environments.
What are the characteristics of a historic
industrial site? They often reside in sections of
town that have been transformed by a harsh
byproduct-of-production. Many variables like
waste-pollution, impressions from trucks or trains
traversing the area, and the constant wear and
tear from people traveling through each day
for as long as the industry existed, can exhaust
the land. The boundary of an industrial zone is
usually very clear, particularly considering sites
of abandoned factories and warehouses. The
buildings themselves express a somewhat muted
factory aesthetic, usually with additional infl uences
from architectural styles that existed during the
time of construction. Function dictates the form
of the spaces within, as well as the quality of the surrounding environment. As
if entering a diff erent world, green fades to brown, pavement turns to rubble,
order turns to crime, and built can turn into ruin. Without proper upkeep
these zones can deteriorate down to the classifi cation of a “Brownfi eld Site;”
a landscape that contains hazardous chemicals or other contaminants that
must be removed before human occupation of the area can continue. Usually
this can make the role of a preservationist quite diffi cult when faced with such
environmental odds. However, an offi cially determined Brownfi eld Site could
help fund preservation eff orts.
32
Could the Pulaski Furniture Complex be considered a Brownfi eld Site?
33
“EPA’s Brown� elds Program provides direct funding for brown� elds assessment, cleanup, revolving loans, and environmental job training. To facilitate the leveraging of public resources, EPA’s Brown� elds Program collaborates with other EPA programs, other federal partners, and state agencies to iden� fy and make available resources that can be used for brown� elds ac� vi� es. In addi� on to direct brown� elds funding, EPA also provides technical informa� on on brown� elds � nancing ma� ers.”
-epa.gov/brown� elds/grant_info
34
Edward K. Muller, from the University
of Pittsburg, did a lecture in 2004 at the City
Museum of Washington about Industrial Heritage
Landscapes. Throughout the lecture he spoke
of the diffi culties that surround preservation
eff orts, and how the “gatekeepers (2)” (those who
buildings undergo continuous additions, and fl oor
plans can shift as new production technologies
call for built adaptations. Often there are no
architects involved, and these alterations to
the buildings occur after decisions from many
diff erent individuals, working with engineers to
accommodate the quickest, easiest, and cheapest
method of building expansion (Muller 5). For
this reason, industrial sites begin to express a
vernacular quality to them, again making it diffi cult
for a preservationist to obtain a complete story of
the building.
The grounds around the built facilities
are almost in constant motion during the life of
an industry. Muller mentions that these sites are
often “consumed by transportation (4),” and can
be altered by the accumulation of production waste. Nothing is permanent
in these areas because of the constant activity, so in many cases it can be
diffi cult to understand the history of the land that existed before the last
days of use. Looking beyond the site itself, usually there are neighborhoods
consisting of workers and their families. Just like the factory buildings were
undergoing vernacular alterations, “local business people and governmental
offi cials unintentionally, or less intentionally, developed adjacent communities
that unfolded as an accumulation of hundreds and thousands of individual
decisions (Muller 5).” It is very important to understand the direct correlations
between the places where the workers lived, shopped, ate, and gathered, to
the changes that took place at their workplace. The factories, surrounding
neighborhoods and businesses existed in a symbiotic relationship, where one
could not exist without the other. Essentially, the community that developed
around an industrial site is just as important as the production facilities, and
preservation projects must include these areas as historical importance to the
industrial context.
How does a preservationist go about learning the history of the ever-
changing landscape of an industrial site? To fi nd this answer we must focus on
the United Kingdom, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, and Michael
Rix who coined the term “Industrial Archaeology.” Michael Rix, an amateur
historian, introduced the concept of Industrial Archaeology as the title of a
36
paper he presented to academic centers in 1955.
“If IA is to be conducted with a view of studying
the evolving manufacturing processes throughout
human history then it must rightly include the
development of stone axes and fl int knives of the
Neolithic period up until the present (Industrial
pars. 4).” Based upon that reasoning, time frame
in which the term applied was widely debated
from recognizing the past 100 years, to some
archeologists in British museums considering it to
cover “as far as historic records permit – some 6000
years (Industrial pars. 2).” In 1959 an Industrial
Archaeology committee was formed by the
Council for British Archaeology, and the offi cial
defi nition of the term meant “the physical remains
of the Industrial Revolution (Industrial pars. 3).”
37
“Many of the industries
of the 18th and 19th centuries
have declined into near obscurity
and with it the loss of historically
valuable trades and practices.
Historical visionaries recognized
the immense importance of
regaining knowledge of the
dormant iron foundries, ports,
stations, and other transport hubs,
textile mills, and shipbuilding
yards. Their commitment forged a
general acceptance that IA means
archaeological study of the period
of the Industrial Revolution to the
present day (Industrial pars. 5).”
The fi eld of Industrial Archaeology
started with a focus on recording the history of
production-technology, and beginning in the
1960’s the CBA (Council for British Archaeology)
was issuing standard record cards “designed to
be fi lled in by voluntary fi eld workers with details of the nature and location
of industrial monuments (Keith).” 1965 brought about the National Record of
Industrial Monuments, which took over the recording process using both the
cards and help from three books including 2 fi eld guides by David & Charles
and Batsford, and studies by Longman. By 1981, over 8000 entries were
transferred over to the National Monument Record, and the record was then
deemed closed due to the cards “drying up (Keith).”
The Scottish Industrial Archaeology Survey was formed in 1977
that the University of Strathclyde in Wales, and that gave way to “extensive
thematic surveys had been completed on several subjects including the
heavy ceramics industry, windmills, wind pumps and suspension bridges” in
the area. In the 1980’s there was a dramatic decline in the Welsh coal mining
industry, and realizing the large mine fi elds could be lost, it sparked an interest
in documenting large historic industrial landscapes. The SIAS was absorbed
by the Scottish Royal Commission in 1985, and this resulted in regulations
that require the recording of an historic industrial site before demolition and
redevelopment can occur (Keith).
Industrial Archeology was originally intended as a method for
the record keeping of the industrial-advancement timeline and locations.
Advancements in recording techniques have been made since the beginning
38
of the fi eld including, electronic surveys that
communicate with GPS devices to give us exact
locations of important markers within the sites,
and computer programs like CAD have allowed
for detailed, precise drawings of locations. “In a
relatively short fi eld campaign it is now possible
to electronically capture thousands of survey
points in three dimensions to produce 3D modeled
images on computer screen a short time later
(Keith).”
The focus up until the 1990’ was based
upon documenting technology, rather than
how the history of the industry is relevant to the
surrounding community (Keith). Now it seems as
though the focus is that of preservation. Concepts
from this fi eld can be borrowed for data collecting
in an eff ort to save historic industrial structures
that directly relate to the economic structure of the
surrounding neighborhoods.
39
Mission statementof the Society for Industrial Archeology
in the US:
“The mission of the Society for Industrial Archeology
(SIA) is to encourage the study, interpreta� on, and
preserva� on of historically signi� cant industrial
sites, structures, ar� facts, and technology. By
providing a forum for the discussion and exchange of
informa� on, the Society advances an awareness and
apprecia� on of the value of preserving our industrial
heritage (Mission par. 1).” Figure 2
40
SIA:
Society for Industrial Archeology
The SIA brings people together throughout
the United States to push forward concepts of
industrial preservation into the public eye. They
off er grants from one to three thousand dollars to
“non-profi t organizations and qualifi ed individuals
for the study, documentation, recordation, and/
or preservation of signifi cant historic industrial
sites, structures, and objects (About).” There are
guidelines off ered (many similar to the National
Registry), and a review board is in place to go over
applications of sites for submittal to the SIA record.
The reward for being approved is the advocacy
from the organization to protect the historic
industrial site.
After research is obtain and eff orts to
preserve, rather than demolish are accomplished,
rehabilitation seems to be the best modern
method of preserving historic industrial buildings
41
S I A P U B L I C AT I O N S :
“ T h e J o u r n a l o f t h e S o c i e t y f o r I n d u s t r i a l
A r c h e o l o g y { I A } , i s p u b l i s h e d t w i c e y e a r l y. I A i s t h e p r i n c i p a l f o r u m f o r t h e p u b l i ca -t i o n o f c u r r e n t r e s e a r c h i n i n d u s t r i a l a r -c h e o l o g y. E a c h i s s u e o f t h i s p e e r r e v i e w e d j o u r n a l co n t a i n s s c h o l a r l y a r t i c l e s , e s s a y s a n d b o o k r e v i e w s.”
T h e S o c i e t y f o r I n d u s t r i a l A r c h e o l o g y
N e w s l e t t e r ( S I A N ) i s p u b l i s h e d q u a r t e r l y. T h e n e w s l e t t e r co n t a i n s c u r r e n t n e w s, l i s t o f r e ce n t p u b l i ca t i o n s o f i n t e r e s t , c h a p t e r n e w s, s h o r t a r t i c l e s a n d n o t i c e s o f c o n f e r -e n ce s a n d e v e n t s o f i n t e r e s t t o m e m b e r s o f t h e S I A co m m u n i t y.
Figure 3
42
and sites. Adaptive reuse is described as the
process of rehabilitation “by which structurally
sound older buildings are developed for
economically viable new uses (Cantell 2).” While
staying true to signifi cant elements of the original
structure, this method adapts the building to
function for a contemporary use. Rehabilitation
projects usually remain more historically
accurate on the exterior façade, while the interior
undergoes the most dramatic changes in the form
of layout and upgrades to meet modern structural,
ADA, and environmental-control buildings
requirements and codes.
Environmental and economic issues can
be a huge selling point for the reuse of historic
industrial buildings, and Mike Jackson makes that
very clear in his article called: Embodied Energy
and Historic Preservation: a Needed Reassessment.
He gives the defi nition of embodied energy as,
“the sum of all the energy required to extract,
process, deliver, and install the materials needed
E m b o d i e d E n e r g y
T h e q u a n t i t y o f e n e r g y r e q u i r e d b y a l l t h e a c t i v i t i e s a s -s o c i a t e d w i t h a p r o d u c t i o n p r o ce s s, i n c l u d i n g t h e r e l a t i v e p r o p o r t i o n s co n s u m e d i n a l l a c t i v i t i e s u p s t r e a m t o t h e a c -q u i s i t i o n o f n a t u ra l r e s o u r ce s a n d t h e s h a r e o f e n e r g y u s e d i n m a k i n g e q u i p m e n t a n d o t h e r s u p p o r t i n g f u n c t i o n s. i . e . d i r e c t p l u s i n d i r e c t e n e r g y.
T h e e n e r g y i n p u t r e q u i r e d t o q u a r r y, t ra n s p o r t a n d m a n u -f a c t u r e b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l s , p l u s t h e e n e r g y u s e d i n t h e co n -s t r u c t i o n p r o ce s s, ca n a m o u n t t o a q u a r t e r o f t h e ‘ l i f e t i m e’ e n e r g y r e q u i r e m e n t o f a v e r y e n e r g y - e f f i c i e n t b u i l d i n g. To r e d u ce e m b o d i e d e n e r g y, w i t h o u t co m p r o m i s i n g l o n g e v i t y o r e f f i c i e n c y :
* r e - u s e e x i s t i n g b u i l d i n g s a n d s t r u c t u r e s w h e r e ve r p o s s i b l e
( p r ov i d e d t h e i r e n e r g y co s t s i n u s e ca n b e r e d u ce d t o a n a c -
ce p t a b l e l e ve l ) .
* d e s i g n b u i l d i n g s f o r l o n g l i f e , w i t h e a s e o f m a i n t e n a n ce a n d a d a p t a b i l i t y t o c h a n g i n g n e e d s
* co n s t r u c t b u i l d i n g s a n d i n f ra s t r u c t u r e o u t o f l o ca l a n d l o w - e n e r g y m a t e r i a l s w h e r e p o s s i b l e
* r e d u ce t h e p r o p o r t i o n o f h i g h r i s e, d e t a c h e d o r s i n g l e - s t o r e y d e v e l o p m e n t s
* d e s i g n l a y o u t s w h i c h m i n i m i s e t h e e x t e n t t o r o a d wa y a n d u t i l -i t y p i p e w o r k p e r d w e l l i n g
- I n f o r m a t i o n f r o m : a r c h . h k u. h k
43
to construct a building (Jackson 47).” The U.S.
Energy Information Administration’s website
off ers ratios of embodied energy to annual energy
consumption of commercial buildings. They range
from 5:1 to 30:1, with historic structures having
greater embodied energy due to heavier building
materials like thick, load bearing brick walls.
Jackson tells us that by rehabilitating old buildings,
and making them effi cient enough to meet
modern standards, 70 percent of the embodied
energy can be reclaimed. When comparing an
existing rehabilitation project to demolition with
new construction, it can take more than 30 years
(sometimes longer than the buildings life cycle) for
the energy consumption to be reclaimed (Jackson
51).
G R A N T M O N E Y
T h e S o c i e t y f o r I n d u s t r i a l A r c h e o l o g y o f f e r s I n d u s t r i a l H e r i t a g e Pr e s e r va t i o n G ra n t s f r o m $ 1 0 0 0 t o $ 3 0 0 0 f o r t h e s t u d y, d o c u m e n t a t i o n , r e co r-d a t i o n , a n d / o r p r e s e r va t i o n o f s i g n i f i ca n t h i s t o r i c i n d u s -t r i a l s i t e s , s t r u c t u r e s, a n d o b j e c t s . - s i a h q. o r g
D i d y o u k n o w ?
Yo u ca n r e ce i v e
44
Figure 4: The American Locomotive Works - Provenance, RI
45
The American Locomotive Works
(ALW) near Provenance, RI, is an example of a
rehabilitated industrial site that is described
as a “preservation success” that meets modern
sustainability standards (Thornton 2) (Figure 2).
The buildings have a rich history of production
dating from the 1880’s to the 1960’s that includes
the manufacturing of trucks, rubber for military
balloons, and fi les for use of jewelers and watch
makers. Manufacturing later moved to diff erent
locations and the 22 acre site, including 26 factory
and warehouse building, was left completely
abandoned. Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, is a real
estate development company “known for working
in challenging locations as a multi-role developer,
builder and a construction manager, [with a]
focus on waterfront transformation, historic
adaptive reuse and urban in-fi ll, mix-use projects
(Struever).” Understanding the importance of
the American Locomotive Works to the history of
the surrounding community, they took it upon
themselves to adapt the buildings into a mixed use development that includes
300,000 square feet of Retail / Restaurant space, 323,000 square feet of
Class-A offi ce space, 385 residential units, and more than 2,925 parking spaces
(American). The adaptive re-use of the ALW project directly infl uenced the
restoration of the landscape, thus transforming the location out of the realm of
a production-byproduct-desert aesthetic, and into a lush, green environment
with trees and walkways. Traditionalists might argue that the context of
site might get lost in the process, but the harsh to soft transition provides a
more desirable atmosphere for human interaction, a key component in the
successful rehabilitation of an industrial site.
4646
The American Locomotive Works
rehabilitation followed standards for LEED
accreditation (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design). Though LEED has been
scrutinized to not uphold many requirements
based upon historic signifi cance, points are
rewarded for reuse of materials – which can be
translated into rehabilitation. Fran Weld, a LEED
accredited professional who oversaw much of the
project’s development remarked that the buildings
“renovated with sustainable practices and green
building techniques from the start.” In fact, the
rehab was part of a pilot program called LEED-
ND, with the “ND” standing for “neighborhood
development.” The Trust for Architectural
Easements mentions in their Columns Newsletter
that the LEED-ND program can be considered
“Opposite of urban sprawl,” and in the case of
the ALW, “incorporates smart growth principles
and sustainable buildings practices (Thornton
3).” The location and proximity of all the buildings
FFFiFiFFiFiFigugugugurererere 5555 5::::
47
promote pedestrian travel, and therefore tie into
the existing urban fabric around the site. It directly
incorporates the existing historic neighborhoods
that were built around the original time of the
American Locomotive Works.
One of the biggest issues when pushing
the rehabilitation of a historic industrial building is
deciding the new function will be. The American
Locomotive Works was able to incorporate a new
mixed use development because the surrounding
city-population of Provenance could support it.
What about smaller towns, and rural areas that
have historic industrial buildings, but lack the
population to support a new property that must
rely on consumerism? An answer could be to
update the buildings, and allow a new industry
to move in. Ideally this would create more jobs
for the community, and pay homage to the
history of the structures by continuing a new
type of production. Just as many industrial sites
throughout history have changed ownership and
Pulaski Furniture Buildings
48
have been altered to meet new functions, restored
manufacturing could provide a new link in the life-
chain of the building and community. Considering
the economic crisis of today and the sharp decline
of manufacturing in the US over the past decades,
this option sounds utopian but plagued with a
harsh reality.
In 2007, Preservation Virginia, a
private non-profi t organization that advocates
preservation projects in the state, named the City
of Danville on its list of Virginia’s Most Endangered
Historic Sites (Figure 3). Up until the stock market
crash, Danville “experiences more than 50 years
of unparalleled prosperity based on tobacco
and textiles (Virginia’s).” The industrial aesthetic
grew with tobacco refi ning factories, and large
mills that have been considered landmarks that
defi ne the characteristics of the area, and have
been icons for generations’ worth of Danville’s
community. The structures apparently speak for
themselves, and already draw tourism to the area
D a nv i l l e, Vi r g i n i a
49
that has suff ered economic disparity in the recent
years. The local government, as well as private
investors keen on seeing the town restored, have
been focusing mainly on downtown and an area
known as the “Tobacco District.” There are many
other important structures that have been left in
jeopardy, including the Worsham Street Bridge,
and an industrial zone called the Schoolfi eld Mill
District (Virginia’s). Ironically, these structures were
previously on the same endangered list (2005-
2006) that the entire town now fi nds itself on.
“Danville’s historic buildings are the envy of many
communities across the state (Virginia’s),” so it is
very interesting how the local government fails
to see how preservation can act as a stimulus for
economic development. Basically, Danville has a
historic “Field of Dreams,” and to partially quote the
movie: “[Restore] it, and they will come.” Who will
come? There will be a new draw for tourism that
will attract businesses, and a growing population
to provide revenue to a depressed economy.
Figures 6, 7, and 8: ( lef t page) Danvil le Virgin-ia’s G eneral Hospital, (Upper)Long M il l , and Worsham Bridge
50
Historic industrial sites are in jeopardy
across the country, and very similar to how the
preservation movement began in the United
States, support for these structures and landscapes
seem to be spawning from private interest
groups and individuals who recognize their
importance. It is easy to see why governments
on the federal, state, and local levels can overlook
these structures, landscapes, and communities
based upon aesthetics, and the relationship to
non-famous, working-class people. In order to
prove that an industrial site is worthy of saving,
preservationist must become archaeologists;
being able to translate and document the history
of vernacularly-infl uenced buildings that have
been altered throughout time. Surrounding
neighborhoods must been investigated when
conducting surveys because it is the human
aspect that brings the history of an industrial
site to life. The type of rehabilitation must be
ideal for the location, while environmental and
51
fi nancial incentives can play an important role in
preservation-persuasion.
“…the longer I look at landscapes
and seek to understand them, the
more convinced I am that their
beauty is not simply an aspect but
their very essence and that beauty
derives from the human presence.
… The beauty that we see in the
vernacular landscape is the image
of our common humanity: hard
work, stubborn hope, and mutual
forbearance striving to be love
(Muller 2).”
–John Brinckeroff Jackson from his
book Discovering the Vernacular
Landscape, Quote taken from
introduction of Edward K. Muller’s
lecture.
52
Works Cited:
“About the Society for Industrial Archeology.” Society for Industrial Archeology. 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2009. <http://www.siahq.org>.
Cantell, Sophie F. “The Adaptive Reuse of Historic Industrial Buildings: Regulation Barriers, Best Practices and Case Studies.” Virginia Tech, Northern Virginia Center. Virginia Polytechnic Institue and State University, May 2005. Web. 28 Oct. 2009. <http://www.nvc.vt.edu/uap/docs/Student%20Projects/Cantell_Practicum.pdf=>.
“Industrial Archaeology.” Extensive Information on Archaeology and Artefacts at Archaeology Expert (UK). 2009. Web. 29 Oct. 2009. <http://www.archaeologyexpert.co.uk/IndustrialArchaeology.html>.
Jackson, Mike. “Embodied Energy and Historic Preservation: A Needed Reassessment.” APT Bulletin 36.4 (2005): 47-52. Jstor. Web. 28 Oct. 2009. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/40003163>.
Keith, Falconer. “The industrial heritage in Britain: the fi rst fi fty years.” La Revue. May 2006. Web. 29 Oct. 2009. <http://histoire-cnrs.revues.org/document1778.html#tocto1>.
Muller, Edward K. “Industrial Preservation: Connecting People, Place, and History.” Rutgers Camden. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 17 Apr. 2004. Web. 29 Oct. 2009. <http://www.camden.rutgers.edu/Camden/march/docs/Main%20Pages/MullerAnnualMeeting2004.doc>.
Thornton, Laura L. “Preservation Success: Former Locomotive Factory Gets New Green Lease on Life.” Columns 3 (June 2009): 2-3. Trust for Architectural Easements. June 2009. Web. 03 Nov. 2009. <http://www.architecturaltrust.org/uploaded_fi les/columns_june2009_web.pdf>.
Figure 6, 7, and 8: http://paradigms4progress.fi les.wordpress.com/2008/06/greenbuilding.jpg Pg. 48-49
54
5555
Chapter 3
56
~Chapter 3~
College Town USA:Intentional Side Eff ects
What is a description of a College Town?
Usually instead of having a large industrial infl u-
ence, a college town bases its economy on the
success on an establishment of higher education.
The school acts as a catalyst for transformation
and has the power to promote growth not only
within the institution itself, but in the surrounding
community. The main ingredient that fuels this
transformation is the arrival of students. They bring
with them fresh perspectives, the thirst for knowl-
edge, energetic attitudes, and what every town in
America needs to survive: money. The town and
college live in a symbiotic relationship, both of
them relying on each other to exist.
“ I n o u r v i e w, g r e a t co l l e g e t o w n s h a v e a s p a r k t h a t co m e s n o t o n l y f r o m y o u n g b l o o d, b u t f r o m j a z z c l u b s, l i t e ra r y e v e n t s , b o o k s t o r e s a n d ca f e s. T h e y a r e i n t e l l e c t u a l , c u l t u ra l a n d e co n o m i c h u b s, b a l -a n c i n g t ra d i t i o n w i t h n e w b u s i -n e s s g r o w t h . O f t e n , t h e y m i x u r b a n a m e n i t i e s a n d s m a l l - t o w n c h a r m .” - w w w. e p o d u n k . co m
Figure 1
57
Businesses tend to surround colleges to
cater to students as well as the surrounding com-
munity. The necessities of book stores, and coff ee
shop hangouts are accompanied by restaurants
and new retail. Then, in a chain reaction, the “col-
lege catering” businesses create a demand for print
shops, and advertising fi rms. People are moving
into the area because the college driven economy
ultimately creates employment: an intentional side
eff ect.
It boils down to ‘cause and eff ect.’ Establishing a
successful college (Action A), will boost the local
economy (Reaction B) and has a particular eff ect
in a small town setting: Reaction C is a direct sense
of community involvement in the decisions, and
benefi ts of campus facilities.
Colleges and universities in large cities
have to deal with greater security issues than in
smaller towns. School buildings are strictly for
people with “Student I.D.’s ONLY!” A college in a small town is more inviting
to its surrounding community, allowing the town to be involved directly with
functions at the school, as well as the school allowing the town to have access
to its facilities.
If the town needed to use a large building belonging to the college for
a fund raiser or town celebration, the town would be welcomed to use it. If a
community theater group needed a larger area to perform, and the school of-
fered the ideal stage, the actors would be granted access to the college’s stage.
Maybe the performing arts students decided the town’s historic theater would
be the ideal location for their new play. The students would be welcomed in.
The college would bring exhibits created not only by its talented students, but
from outside schools and museums. The public would be invited.
58
De f init ion of “ Col lege To w n:”
“A co l l ege to w n or unive rs i t y to w n i s a communit y (o f-te n l i te ra l l y a to w n, b u t po s s i b l y a s m a l l o r m e d i u m s i z e d c i t y, o r i n s o m e c a s e s a n e i g h bo r h ood o r a d i s t r i c t o f a c i t y ) which i s dominated by i t s unive rs i t y populat ion. The uni-ve r s i t y m a y be l a r g e , o r t h e r e m a y be s e ve ra l s m a l l e r i n s t i -t ut ions such as l iberal ar t s co l l eges c lustered, or the re s i-dentia l populat ion may be smal l , but co l l ege to w ns in a l l c a s e s a r e s o d u b be d bec a u s e t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e e d u c a t i o n a l inst i t ut ion(s) pe r vades e conomic and soc ia l l i f e . Many loca l re s idents may be employed by the unive rs i t y - which may be the largest employer in the communit y, many businesse s c a te r p r i m a r i l y to t h e u n i ve r s i t y, a n d i n d e e d t h e s t u d e n t s po p u l a t i o n m a y o u t n u m be r t h e l oc a l po p u l a t i o n o u t r i g h t . ”
-W ikipedia De f init ion
59
Cre ati ng:a Landscaped Park…
a Socia l , Cultura l and Economic Center…a New “Symbol” of the
Community…
“A n i s l a n d o f g r e e n , P u n c t ua t e d
by m o nu m e n t a l b u i l d i n g s, s i t e o f
a d i ve r s e ra n g e o f c u l t u ra l a n d
s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s, t h e ca m p u s i s i n
m a ny wa y s t h e f o c u s o f l i f e i n t h e
co l l e g e t ow n , mu c h a s d ow n t ow n
wa s i n t h e p r e - a u t o m o b i l e c i t y
o r t h e s h o p p i n g m a l l h a s b e e n i n
s u b u r b i a . Wi t h i t s co n ce r t h a l l s,
mu s e u m s, s p o r t s s t a d i u m s, l a n d -
s ca p e d g r o u n d s, a n d b u s y ca l e n -
d a r o f e ve n t s, t h e ca m p u s i s a hu b
o f a c t i v i t i e s t h a t s e r ve s n o t o n l y
s t u d e n t s a n d s t a f f, b u t t h e l a r g e r
p o p u l a t i o n o f a t ow n a n d r e g i o n .
A s s u c h , t h e ca m p u s i s b o t h a n
e nv i r o n m e n t f o r l e a r n i n g a n d a
p u b l i c s p a ce.”
–Blake Gumprecht wrote in the Journal
of H istor ica l GeographyFigure 2
60
In the book The American College Town, Blake
Gumprecht compares a campus to a landscaped park,
a social, cultural and economic center, and serving as
a symbol to the community. He arrives to his conclu-
sions by analyzing the University of Oklahoma and the
town, Norman, that was chosen as the site in Decem-
ber of 1890.
How does Pulaski compare with Norman?
Utilizing the current layout and location of the Pulaski
Furniture Complex resemble the University of Okla-
homa? Would the proposed Pulaski Institute of Design
become a social and cultural center, enhanced by the
immediate location to downtown and Main Street?
Could it become a symbol of the town, and blend in to
enhance the current aesthetics, keeping an industrial
memory while converging to a landscaped college
environment?
61
L a n d s c a p e d Par k :
A Col lege i s Bor n
A col lege should be green and wood-
ed. I t i s a t radit ional bel ief that a col lege
campus should be perceived as beaut i fu l
to attrac t students. The suppor t ing towns
ut i l ize the presence of a campus to enhance
the town’s attrac t ion - l ike a landscaped
park .
Figure 3 : Vi rginia Tech Dr i l l Fie ld - a “Landscaped Park ”
62
David Ross Boyd was the fi rst president of
Oklahoma University. In August of 1892 he de-
scribed what he saw stepping off the train:
“As far as I could see, looking to the South-
West toward where the university now stands,
there was one vast stretch of buff alo grass. Not a
tree or shrub broke the interminable monotony of
that hard-pan desert (Gumprecht 43).”
Figure 4: First Bui ld ing at the Univers i t y of Ok lahoma
63
Boyd was known for revitalizing the land-
scape and even though many trees were planted
before his arrival, he encouraged the board to
approve an enormous $70 to buy 1000 trees to be
planted around the campus, and the road connect-
ing to the town. The Oklahoma House of Repre-
sentatives Journal of 1983 described University
Avenue to be “blossoming as a rose.” Boyd then
created a nursery around his home, raising many
varieties of trees on fi ve acres. Within six years an
estimated 40,000 trees were planted (Gumprecht
43-44).
Figure 5: First Bui ld ing at the Univers i t y of Ok lahomaaf ter t rees were planted
64
Landscaped Park:
A Town is Born
Pulaski was established by fi rst constructing
the County Courthouse, then planting the building’s
landscape to beautify downtown and Main Street.
The designers paid close attention to detail in por-
traying the new monument to the county seat. The
trees and grass invite pedestrians to slow down their
stride and enjoy the fresh air, open space, and the
picturesque trees that frame the building like a work
of art. Like David Ross Boyd planted the campus of
Oklahoma University, The Town of Pulaski founders
landscaped the downtown.
Figure 6
Figure 7
65
Figure 8
Figure 9
66
Pulask i Furniture Plant - S i te Condit ions
67
Pulask i Furniture P lant - New Landscape
68
Social, Cultural, andEconomic Center:
Large cities off er facilities for cultural
events, and schools do not maintain permanent a
focus for events. Colleges in small towns will truly
become centers for social interaction.
“The host concerts, plays, and sporting
events. They possess museums and sponsor other
activities that draw people from the surrounding
community. Campus ballrooms, banquet halls, and
Figure 11: ( r ight) “ The Union” when i t opened had a cafeter ia , bal l room, auditor ium, pool hal l , bowl ing a l ley, soda fountain , and 17 rooms for overnight lodg-ing. Whi le the bui lding was intended as a ‘meet ing ground for undergraduates’, i t soon began to attrac t the publ ic because i t possessed fac i l i t ies unavai lable e lsewhere.
Figure 10:M ap showing the layout of the Univers i t y of Ok lahoma
69
auditoriums provide venues for a diverse range of
social events. As Such, college towns like Norman
often act as regional centers of culture, unusual in
their amenities for cities of their size.”
The Furniture Complex used to be the
“large industrial presence” that defi ned Pulaski’s
downtown fabric, earlier discussed as the opposite
of a college town. If the buildings were restored,
and the Pulaski Institute of Design were estab-
lished, would Pulaski have the ability to transform
itself into a thriving college town?
The site is physically near the town’s center.
It sits one block from Main Street with close ac-
cess to interstates and other large college-based
populations in nearby towns. It actually has one
thing a college needs to survive: location. The new
school would become a new Social, Cultural, and
Economic center for Town of Pulaski.
While building the University of Oklahoma, the
Figure 12: Aeria l photo of the Pulask i Furniture Complex and (below) an out l ine of the exist ing plant bui ldings
70
town of Norman grew to meet its demands. The
school breathed life into the area and the built en-
vironment rose from the infl uence. Pulaski already
has the infrastructure for both the college, and a
beautiful historic downtown with spaces awaiting a
new business presence.
71
Basic Transformation Formula:
Empty factory +Restoration +School + Students
= New Jobs
= New Businesses
= Economical Growth
= New Buildings for Public Use
Basic Transformation Formula:
Empty factory +Restoration +School + Students
= New Jobs
= New Businesses
= Economical Growth
= New Buildings for Public Use
72
New “Symbol”for the Community:
With the Pulaski Institute of Design per-
forming as a catalyst for economic and social
growth, it will have the infl uence to become a new
symbol of the community. What was defi ned by
industry is now known for education. A college
would be to Pulaski like Virginia Tech is to Blacks-
burg, and Radford University is to the City of Rad-
ford. The transformed furniture plant will become
the icon that started modern renaissance for the
town, like the Savannah College of Art and Design
did for Savannah, Georgia.
The Savannah College of Art and Design
(SCAD) was incorporated on September 29th,
1978, founded by Paula S Wallace, Richard G.
Rowan, May L. Poetter, and Paul E. Poetter. Instead
of building a new campus outside of the City of
Savannah, the college decided to purchase and
SCAD Mission Statement:
The Savannah Col lege of Art and Design exists to prepare ta lented students for professional careers, emphasiz ing learning through indiv idual at tent ion in a posi t ively or ient-ed universi ty environment.
SCAD Vision:
The Savannah Col lege of Art and Design, an inst i tut ion wi th dist inct ive yet complementary locat ions, wi l l be rec-ognized as a leader in def in ing art and design educat ion. By employing innovat ion in al l areas, SCAD wi l l provide a super ior educat ion through talented and dedicated facul ty and staff , leading-edge technology, advanced learning resources and comprehensive support services.
~scad.edu
73
rehabilitate the Savannah Volunteer Guard Ar-
mory on Bull Street to serve as the school’s fi rst
classrooms and administration. For the low cost
of $300 a course, classes opened in September
of 1979 (Muller). For the next 30 years the school
continued to restore buildings, becoming a leader
in historic preservation. This helped revitalize the
downtown Historic District in Savannah, as well as
providing a boost the local economy by attracting
new students, tourists, and businesses to the area.
Essentially, SCAD became a symbol for the Savan-
nah Historic District.
Figure 13: Poetter Hal l - SCAD
74
Interview with Alderman Tony ThomasDistrict 6 - Chairman of Savannah City Council
To obtain a better understanding of how SCAD in-
f luenced the area an interview was conducted with local
c i ty off ic ia l , Alderman Tony Thomas. Tony is nat ive to the
area and has been serving as Alderman for Savannah’s
Distr ict 6 s ince 2000. He current ly s i ts as Chairman of
Ci ty Counci l . In the interview he was asked about how
Savannah changed because of the presence of the SCAD,
and how the economy improved with the growth of the
school .
75
Q u e s t i o n : You saw f i rst -hand how Sa-vannah changed when SCAD moved in . What was the di f ference “now and then” for the histor ic d istr ic t? Has SCAD inf lu-enced tour ism?
A n s we r : “ SCAD ’s incept ion to the Savannah communit y is a bless ing but one that requires constant monitor ing. Thir t y years ago when SCAD was formed as a smal l ar t col lege, no one could have imagined the inst i tut ion that would be thr iv ing three decades later. Dur ing the ear ly years of SCAD, Savannah was a struggl ing c i t y that was def ining hersel f for a new era . Der-e l ic t houses were a common ever yday pic ture in the downtown landscape. M any great struc tures were gett ing lost to the wreck ing bal l and much was lost that wi l l never be recovered f rom the past . However, SCAD helped - and I do stress helped - to usher in a new era of preser vat ion and awareness coupled with the growing needs of an urban core univers i t y. Fast for ward to today and the Savannah of the 2000’s i s a leader in preser vat ion with a uni-vers i t y that exists among the histor ic bui ld ings of the past . The thousands of students that attend SCAD do so in one of the most unique univers i t y set-t ings in the countr y and for that matter the world. This however, comes with great chal lenges on the communit y in re lat ion to growth and infrastruc ture. The SCAD administrat ion must be more wi l l ing to work with the local gov-ernment to def ine a v is ion and work with the communit y par tners and par-t ic ipate in the growing consumption of the infrastruc ture by the univers i t y. Unfor tunately, the local government and SCAD have had a poor re lat ionship when i t comes to managing that v is ion and the future intent ions of the uni-vers i t y.” “SCAD has def in i te ly inf luenced tour ism and has been a par tner in drawing thousands of people to this communit y because of the architec tural preser-vat ion and histor ic landmark distr ic t .”
76
Q u e s t i o n : What was Broughton Street (a main commercial street in the histor ic distr ict) l ike before and af ter the school moved in? Was there a not iceable change in the downtown economy? What about other parts of Savannah, l ike Southside?
A n s we r : “ Broughton Street was depressed and derel ict in many areas before SCAD moved in. Retai l had made i t ’s exodus to the Southside mal ls and centers and Broughton Street was almost a ghost town in the 1980’s. With the invent ion of the modern day shopping mal l - Oglethorpe Mal l , many of the businesses were put out of business or c losed their doors. Simply - the shoppers disappeared and the street fe l l into a depressed state and era. As SCAD grew, people started to take note of the thousands of aff luent students wi th disposable incomes that were for the most part residing in the downtown era. This helped to usher in a new hope of revi-ta l izat ion and a new day for Broughton. Now, through effor ts of the Savan-nah Development and Renewal Author i ty and other community partners, Broughton Street, MLK Jr. Boulevard, and Montgomery Street are gett ing a new lease on l i fe and mi l l ions in publ ic and pr ivate investment that wi l l certainly help the area to cont inue to expand and prosper in the decades ahead.” “Southside Savannah has seen very l i t t le f rom SCAD. Other than perhaps some housing and some disposable dol lars f rom the students, much of the core of economic impact is exper ienced in the downtown corr idor. That ’s not to say that as an overal l p icture, SCAD is not support ive of the South-side but rather - downtown Savannah is the pr imary area for economic impact.”
Q
77
Q u e s t i o n : What are your thoughts about SCAD’s effor ts in the preservat ion of Savan-nah through the reha-bi l i tat ion of h istor ic bui ld ings?
A n s we r : “ SCAD has been a Godsend for the preservat ion of housing and histor ic assets for th is community. I t ’s hard to imagine what may have happened i f not for the conjunct ion of t iming and SCAD with Savan-nah’s histor ic distr ict . Whi le some may argue the tax benef i ts that SCAD receives for their non-prof i t status, no one can argue that their col lec-t ive work in th is community has not led to mi l l ions in preservat ion and hundreds of structures saved from the wrecking bal l . That alone may be SCAD’s greatest assistance to our community as i t evolves in th is new era. That said, SCAD’s administrat ion must become more forthcoming and welcoming of the local government wi th their p lans for the future and they must be wi l l ing to part ic ipate in the planning and f inancing of projects that affect the future development and areas where they plan to expand. SCAD must not expect there to be no costs to the inst i tut ion for th is future expansion.”
Q u e s t i o n : What are your conclusions about SCAD’s inf luence on Savannah? Where do you think the c i ty would be i f the school d id not exist?
A n s we r : “ As I have said ear l ier, I cannot imagine where Savannah would be i f not wi th SCAD. The existence and growth of SCAD has pro-vided a unique scene and cul ture for downtown Savannah that is near ly un-matchable anywhere in the wor ld. I t ’s a win-win s i tuat ion for both that must be monitored and cul tured for the future. I feel that as the univer-s i ty and ci ty cont inue to grow, we must do so in a mutual understanding for the best planning for the future. Open communicat ion by the two wi l l ensure that the future of Savannah and the universi ty are hand- in-hand and a successful and prosperous arrangement for a l l who are involved.”
78
Works Cited
Gumprecht, Blake. The American College Town. First Edition ed. Amhearst: Univ. Of Massachusetts Press, 2008. Print.
Muller, Julia C. “A 30-year history of the Savannah College of Art and Design.” savannahnow.com. Savannah Morning News, 21 Feb. 2009. Web. 25 Jan. 2010. <http://savannahnow.com/node/676764>.
room will allow other studios in the building to be
in tune with each person’s work, creating a healthy
studio-to-studio relationship. Sound absorption
would be used to diminish unwanted noise, but
it would be very obvious if a professor was tell-
ing a joke in one of his or her lectures as an entire
class bursts out in laughter. Ideas from discussions
could be heard by curious listeners, and future
students can walk through the partition-implied
hallway to gaze at a possible near future. Many
sections of the Pulaski Furniture Complex are ware-
house structures. If these are left as an open fl oor
plan with tall ceilings, the “typical closed class-
room” idea can transform into a fully collaborative,
integrated studio environment.
84
There is often a debate on how to imple-
ment computers into a “studio” environment. A
computer lab is typically described as an enclosed
room with wall-to-wall workstations, and works
very well in a computer technology related, or gen-
eral education buildings. Computer aided design
has now been implemented into many art related
majors, and the concept of a computer “lab” tends
to destroy a collaborative studio environment.
Labs constrict visual communication as screens ab-
sorb individual’s attention. An ideal solution would
be to provide computer stations throughout the
open studios, as well as provide enclosed computer
labs for specifi c electronic design courses, and to
provide a quiet environment if the students needs
an escape from the busy studio in order to fi nish
their work.
General Education buildings will include
a traditional approach to a classroom space.
Windowed walls are a must for natural light, and
85
blinds can be used to darken the rooms for screen-
projected presentations. Additional “classroom”
type spaces should exist in close proximity to
studio spaces. Sometimes classes need privacy for
lectures, discussions, or presentations. Along with
open studios, the need for a closed studio space
should always be available for students and profes-
sors to utilize.
Entrances to buildings must be estab-
lished. The current factory buildings do not off er
the amount of emphasis the front door of a college
building should portray. Additions involving aw-
nings and covered walkways/porches will estab-
lish a sense of direction among the campus, and
provide shelter over gathering areas for students
and visitors of the school.
The design must control the act of enter-
ing the interior beyond just on the outside, but in
the space directly past the doorway. Open fl oor
plans and atrium spaces (for multi-story buildings)
86
should greet students, and direct them to their
inside destination. The architecture should guide
an obvious journey, and signs will reference correct
studios and classroom spaces.
Design schools need space to present
work. Exhibit space should be provided in every
department. Walls and shelves along corridors
should speak the language of the department it
serves. Representation of achievement in each
major is not only for accreditation purposes, but to
show the public what the institution can accom-
plish.
Faculty offi ces will be located within the
appropriate department buildings. These areas
will be more private, giving professors a place away
from students to “take a breather” while preparing
for classes, but with immediate access their dedi-
cated department. The offi ce areas should be large
enough to accommodate multiple professor desks
and computers. Space should be given for each
87
professor to have meetings with students on one
to one basis.
Where would students live while attending
the Pulaski Institute of Design? Dorms would be
either built or renovated into existing buildings in
Pulaski. Cafeterias will be connected to the dorms
to provide meal plans. As students move beyond
freshman year, many will decide to get places
outside of school housing. Apartments and rental
houses in the town will accommodate this.
Student centers are important to promote
a sense of community among the college. These
spaces should be welcoming, and off er pool tables,
fl at screen TV’s, a snack bar, and computer access.
Recreation spaces should be available for student
use though both the town’s facilities, and a land-
scaped park created on the large clearing on the
furniture complex site.
Colleges must uphold the responsibility
of keeping their students safe. Front desks will be
88
incorporated into building entrance design. Secu-
rity stations for parking lots around the furniture
complex would be needed, and security offi ces
would be created in smaller existing buildings.
To further explore the concept of trans-
forming the Pulaski Furniture Complex into a
school, a master site plan of the campus must
be developed.
89
90
9191
Chapter 5
92
~Chapter 5~
Design:
Th e New Campus
Study models were created to understand the
organization of the existing built conditions. Topogra-
phy lines were used from Pulaski County’s GIS web site,
put into Autocad, and cut with a laser into chip board.
Aerial photos were screen-printed and spliced together
in Photoshop to create a high resolution image com-
prised of over 50 individual screen shots. Through
these massing models with roof images placed on top
give an understanding of the existing hierarchy of the
structures to each other and to the surrounding foot-
hills of the Blue Ridge mountains.
A clear understanding of construction phases
is vital to the creation of the Pulaski Institute of Design.
Primary consideration has to be given to the fi rst phase,
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
because if that does not work, any attempt at
phase two and beyond will be lost. Based upon the
majors that will be off ered in the beginning, certain
parts of the existing complex will be considered
fi rst for renovation, or demolition. New buildings
will be added in this phase to support functions
that the existing structures cannot handle like
dorms and student living facilities. Phase one will
also transform the site into the concept of a “land-
scaped park.”
Like the fi rst president of the University of
Oklahoma took on the job to populate the cam-
pus with trees, the “industrial desert” of the Pulaski
Furniture Plant needs to be transformed into a lush
green landscape. The grounds that surround the
existing buildings consist of dirt, gravel, and as-
phalt, with no clear connection to a natural envi-
ronment that college campuses need to possess.
Before lush vegetation can be added, pedestrian
101
oriented pathways must be establish to connect
facilities to one another. Vehicular traffi c should be
allowed in contained areas to provide parking for
dorms, commuters, visitors, and service vehicles.
102
103
104
“ Fa m i l y C i r c u s” co r n e r s :
The top image shows the comic str ip “Family Circus” and the path the boy takes through the neighborhood. The other images show how corners have been cut , psychological ly keeping people of f the landscape.
Sidewalks should begin at building en-
trances, then spread out towards other destina-
tions while allowing for the quickest path of travel.
The comic strip : “Family Circus” has portrayed on
a few occasions the path of the blond haired boy
as he travels through a neighborhood. A dotted
line records where he has been, and follows his
movements from point A to B, in total disregard
for boundaries, but choosing the path that best
suits his needs at the given time. In a way, college
students have a similar mentality about getting
from building to building as quickly as possible.
Infl uence of being late for a class, or trying to avoid
adverse weather can divert a student’s path from
a paved sidewalk, and in turn have them pushing
through shrubbery, and tracking across fresh green
grass. In order to maintain quality in the land-
scape, and to keep students on the walkways, ev-
ery possible corner has been cut. Why cut corners
through the grass, when the pavement already
105
C i r c u l a t i o n M o d e l :
The image on the lower r ight indicates an abstrac t form of t ravel through the s i te. A l l the cur ved wood pieces come together in the center, and ref lec t what wi l l become a centra l ax is in the pedes-tr ian walks. B lue is for pedestr ian, and red is for vehicular t raf f ic . The empha-s is i s obviously on pedestr ian t ravel .
does it for you? Student actions are anticipated
with the design of the landscape to cut down
maintenance, as well as providing an interesting
path of travel for students and visitors to view the
surroundings.
106
107
S u n D i a l :
The town of Pulask i ’s symbol is the c lock tower on the cour t-house. The sun dia l re i terates this on the opposite s ide of the large 5 f loor bui ld ing on the s i te. Time wi l l be told f rom al l d i rec t ions.
108108
B u i l d i n g C u t - t h r o ug h :
Above/R ight shows the bui lding that wi l l have the arched tunnel of g lass. This wi l l connec t the t wo s ides of the campus, creat-ing an East-West ax is through the s i te.
109
A central axis is created by tunneling
through an existing brick building on the site. This
passageway symbolizes mixing “new” with “old”
and marks the transition from student living areas
to the classroom environment. The tunnel is made
of glass, giving a pedestrian a view of interior
spaces, providing a new North-South visual axis
through the buildings. At night the tunnel will be
illuminated by lights on the interior of the building.
The tunnel concept is reiterated for vehicu-
lar traffi c as well. This will provide an indoor drop-
off area, and create an immediate connection to
the school upon arrival. Lines of trees and changes
in road surface will slow traffi c down for the safety
of students.
110
Pe d e s t r i a n :
Ve h i c u l a r :
B u i l d i n g C u t -T h r o ug h Pa t hwa y s
111
B u i l d i n g C u t -T h r o ug h Tu n n e l s
112
Pa r k i n g :
113
114
1151111111111 5
Chapter 6
116
117
118
119
D o r m i t o r y & S t u d e n t L i f e C o m p l e x
120
S i t e f o r t h e
D o r m s / S t u d e n t L i f e C e n t e r
121
Fo o t p r i n t
122
C o d e Re q u i r e m e n t s :
D o r m i t o r y O cc u p a n c y Ty p e – Re s i d e n t i a l - R 2
Unl ike t ransient hotels and motels where people stay for less than 30 days, an R2 occupanc y t ype c lass i f ies res ident ia l fac i l i t ies where people are re lat ively permanent .
Egress :Sprink lered: yes
Maximum Common Path of Egress Travel : 125’
Largest Room or Area that May Have Only One Means of Egress: 10 Occupants
M inimum Length of Dead-End Corridor: 20 ’
Door Width:
M in: 32” net c lear
Max: 48” nominal
M inimum Clear Corridor Width:
44” ser v ing more than 49 occupants
36” ser v ing 49 or fewer
M inimum Stair Width:
44”
Emergenc y Door or Window egress from sleeping areas:
Required
123
Acce s s i b i l i t y Re q u i r e m e n t s :
-Walk ing sur faces s lope no greater than 1 :20
-The approach to door ways that open towards the occupant must have 18” c lear space - s ide of latch
-60” minimum diameter for wheelchair turning
-R amp s lope no greater than 1 :12
-R amp width: 36”
-R amp Landings ever y 30” of height
-Landings for R amps may not be less than 60” in length.
-36” door way opening: 60” wide by 60” deep, or 54” wide by 80” deep
-42” door way opening (centered) : 80” wide by 51” deep
- I t i s recommended to have one or more e levators i f the f loors r ise above 4 stor ies.
-At least one of those e levators must be able to accommodate a medical st retcher : 24” x 84”
-Fi re protec ted sta i r ways must contain areas of refuge on each f loor.
124124
S ke t c h t h e s h a p e o f t h e
D o r m s / S t u d e n t L i f e C e n t e r
125125
C u r ve d s h a p e
r e i t e ra t i n g c h a n g e i n l a n d s ca p e
126126
127
C o n t a i n e r f o r
l i v i n g a n d g a t h e r i n g s p a ce s
128
129
130
P l a n t h e s h a p e o f
a r e p e a t i n g l i v i n g m o d u l e
-
131
C r e a t e a n e nv i r o n m e n t
t h a t s t u d e n t s ca n l i ve i n
132
T h e D o r m Ro o m :E a c h d o r m r o o m w i l l p r ov i d e s p a ce f o r t wo
p e o p l e t o l i ve co m f o r t a b l y. I n d i v i d ua l p r i -
va c y i s e n h a n ce d by a p a r t i t i o n / s e co n d c l o s e t
p l a ce d b e t we e n s l e e p i n g a r e a s f o r p r i va c y.
Wo r k a r e a s a r e m o r e o p e n t o a l l ow f o r m a x i -
mu m n a t u ra l l i g h t, a n d b a l co n i e s co n n e c t t wo
d o r m r o o m s t o g e t h e r t o g i ve a g r e a t e r s e n s e
o f co m mu n i t y.
133
D e ve l o p m e n t :
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148148
149149
150
1511111155111 1
Chapter 7
152
S t u d e n t Lo u n g e :T h e r e i s a s t u d e n t l o u n g e o n e a c h f l o o r, l o ca t e d
i n t h e ce n t e r o f t h e d o r m i t o r y co m p l e x . T h i s n o t
o n l y p r ov i d e s a ce n t ra l a x i s f o r t ra ve l ( e l e va t o r s /
s t a i r s ) , b u t p r ov i d e s a n a r e a t h a t u n i t e s s t u d e n t s
t o g e t h e r t o f o r m a s e n s e o f co m mu n i t y. T h i s
s p a ce ca n b e u s e d f o r r e c r e a t i o n ( T V, Po o l Ta -
b l e s. . . ) o r ca n b e u s e d a s a p l a ce f o r g r o u p s t u d y
s e s s i o n s. U n i t i n g s t u d e n t s w i t h i n t h e i r l i v i n g
a r e a s i n c r e a s e s co l l a b o ra t i ve c r e a t i v i t y a n d t h e
s h a r i n g o f n e w i d e a s.
153
C o m mu n i t y :
1541555555554444
C o m m u n i t y f r o m
ce n t ra l s t u d e n t l o u n g e s
155
156
Aco u s t i c ce i l i n g s
d y n a m i ca l l y c i r c u l a t i n g a b ove
157
158
M a t e r i a l s n e e d e d
t o s o f t e n t h e a p p e a ra n ce
159
B r i c k r e c yc l e d f r o m
d i s a s s e m b l e d p l a n t b u i l d i n g
160
D o r m L i v i n g :O n t h e u p p e r l e ve l, a b ove t h e d o r m r o o m s a r e a r -
e a s t h a t ca n b e u s e d a s g a l l e r y s p a ce, co m p u t e r
l a b s, a n d a g y m / wo r ko u t a r e a . T h e s e s p a ce s ca n
p r ov i d e l a r g e r a r e a s f o r g a t h e r i n g - w h e r e e n t i r e
d o r m b u i l d i n g s co u l d h a ve m e e t i n g s, A l l t h e t o p
f l o o r h a ve a r c h e d r o o f s a n d p r ov i d e v i e w s o f t h e
m o u n t a i n s t o t h e S o u t h a n d t h e s c h o o l ca m p u s t o
Heated a i r wi l l r i se, and cold a i r pushing
in f rom the large window wi l l push the
hot a i r into the room, creat ing a natu-
ra l c i rculat ion that distr ibutes evenly
throughout the l iv ing space (Fig. 1) .
171
Fi g u r e 1
Sunl ight hi ts the concrete f loor that ac ts as a thermal storage mass. The f loor radiates heat upwards, and is pushed into the room from the pressure of the cold outs ide a i r.
172
On cloudy Winter days there is no choice
but to use mechanical systems to heat
student ’s res idences. I ndiv idual fan- coi l
terminals wi l l be placed in each room,
connec ted to a central a l l -water system.
To the lef t (Fig. 2) i s an example of a Uni-
Trane® Fan- Coi l cabinet unit . Below (Fig.
3 ) there are three di f ferent t ypes that
could be considered for Pulask i ’s dormi-
tor ies.
The objec t ive is to place the unit
r ight below the large, South fac ing win-
dow. With the heat blowing upward, and
the pressure of the cold a i r through the
window (Fig4) , should enable the same
c i rculat ion as the solar pass ive technique
in Figure 1 . Now the decis ion remains
as to which of the three units should be
used.
Fi g u r e 2 ( a b ove ) a n d 3 ( b e l ow )
173
The ver t ica l cabinet with the s loped top
would most l ike ly per form better than the regu-
lar, f lat - top cabinet unit . S ince the in i t ia l d i rec-
t ion of a i r f low is a l ready angled towards the
inter ior, th is would intensi fy c i rculat ion. The
only issue is that by protruding into the room,
the f loor space needed for a thermal storage
173
Fi g u r e 4
The locat ion of the fan- coi l termi-nal i s indicated by the red c i rc le. P lac ing i t d i rec t ly below the win-dows wi l l a l low the pressure of the outs ide cold a i r to push the heat into the room, providing a natural c i rculat ion.
174
mass is lessened. Consider ing this , the
ver t ica l recessed fan- coi l unit i s the opt i -
mum choice (Fig.6) .
How does a central a l l -water sys-
tem, with fan- coi l terminals work? A i r
f rom both indoors and outdoors is b lown
across coi ls . These coi ls are f i l led with
e i ther hot or cold water that is pumped
from a boi ler, or chi l led water plant . The
boi ler requires a chimney, and a cool ing
tower must be suppl ied on the roof (Fig.
5) . A Thermostat controls the amount
of hot or cold water in the coi ls , which
determines the temperature of the f low-
ing a i r. A pan catches condensat ion
created by the terminal , and is dra ined
through pipes. Excess a i r that i s brought
in f rom outs ide can be used to pressur ize
the space, thus prevent ing inf i l t rat ion, or
the a i r can be exhausted out by means of
Fi g u r e 5 :
Central Al l -Water System:
Fan- Coi led Terminals
175
Typical Applications (Ex terior Walls) :-schools-hotels-motels-apar tments- of f ice bui ld ings- d o r m i t o r i e s
Components:-boi lers and chimney- chi l led water plant- cool ing tower-ver t ica l ly supply and return piping-hor izontal supply and return piping-fan coi l terminals- outs ide a i r gr i l l s
1 ) D o r m R o o m2 ) E x t e r i o r N o r t h H a l l wa y3 ) B a l c o n y4 ) S t u d e n t Lo u n g e5 ) Fi r e S t a i r s6 ) “Cy c l o n e S t a i r wa y ”7 ) E l e va t e d G a r d e n s8 ) E n t ra n c e Lo b b y9 ) E l e va t o r