Visionary designs for Nashville’s East Bank

DESIGNING ACTION

Contents

04 Preface06 About the NCDC

PROJECT OVERVIEW08 Timeline10 The Project

NASHVILLE’S EAST BANK13 History14 The Site16 Site Context17 Site Features

THE COMPETITION20 About the Competition20 Requirements 21 Selection Criteria 22 Competition Jury

TOP 20 ENTRANTS25 Response from around the World26 Top 332 Finalists46 Alternative Visions

THE EXHIBIT50 Designing the Exhibit52 Building the Exhibit54 Opening Day Exhibit, Unveiling, & Awards

58 Acknowledgements

Preface

Aptly stated on the National Endowment

for the Arts website, “Design surrounds us

and has a direct impact on the quality of our

lives. Furthermore, designers fuel innovation

by employing creative thinking to solve

problems, drive economic development, and

address social issues.” The Designing Action

competition embraced this understanding, as

entrants were challenged with finding elegant

solutions to a series of complex variables.

The city of Nashville experienced a dramatic

wake-up call in May 2010, when an intense

rain converted culverts into ranging rivers

and the downtown riverfront into a virtual

delta. But the flood also brought together

the Nashville community, and was a striking

reminder of our connection and relationship

to the Cumberland River. This event opened a

new perspective for the city and its riverfront,

for entertaining new uses and new solutions.

Thus, in a search for best possible practices

the Nashville Civic Design Center opened

the competition to the world, and we were

not disappointed. Exquisite entries were

submitted from over thirty countries spread

across six continents. Every single entry

contained truly inspiring ideas and images –

the judges were delighted with the spectrum

of visionary ideas. And confirming about

the quality of talent in Nashville, four of the

finalist teams were comprised of or included

those who call us home.

As you look through this document, I hope

you will focus on the nuances that the

design teams brought to their projects.

The proposed ideas are smart, fun, lyrical,

innovative, inclusive and sustainable – a

lot like the City of Nashville itself.

JULIA FRY LANDSTREET

Executive Director

04 DESIGNING ACTIONs

About the Nashville Civic Design Center

The Nashville Civic Design Center “NCDC” is

an independent nonprofit organization that

has worked since 2000 to improve the quality

of life for Nashvillians through visionary

thinking, partnerships that encourage

high quality design, and facilitating public

dialogue on key issues that impact how we

live, work, and play.

The NCDC is not a regulatory institution;

rather it advocates and supports the highest

standards for contemporary community

design. The NCDC is known and respected

for its ability to bring many diverse parties

together and for facilitating proactive

discussion to promote positive change.

06 DESIGNING ACTION

About the National Endowment of the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts

was established by Congress in 1965

as an independent agency of the

federal government. To date, the NEA

has awarded more than $4 billion to

support artistic excellence, creativity,

and innovation for the benefit of

individuals and communities. The NEA

extends its work through partnerships

with state agencies, local leaders,

many other federal agencies, and the

philanthropic sector.

PROJECT OVERVIEWNashville’s ambitioN to become the “healthiest city iN the south” got a step closer to the visioN with the Designing Action ideas competitioN. the river that ruNs through it aNd its surrouNdiNgs, the plaN for the city aNd its well placed buildiNgs, together, play a role iN creatiNg a place where people of all ages caN walk, bike, ruN, play, or just bask iN the suNlight soakiNg up health giviNg vitamiN ds aNd filliNg their luNgs with fresh air. the competitioN put forth a selectioN of do-able, but

more importaNtly iNspiriNg ideas that caN lead to maNy coNstructive coNversatioNs about how citizeNs waNt to live iN the 21st ceNtury. i will be watchiNg from afar aNd will take Note of the lessoNs Nashville teaches other southerN cities. more importaNtly, it will be exhilaratiNg for the folks iN Nashville to be part of the process. i’m a bit eNvious! ” SUSAN S. SZENASYEditor in Chief, Metropolis Magazine

“

About the National Endowment of the Arts

Project Timeline

08 DESIGNING ACTION

2007 CDC ranks TN #49 as an active state.2010 CDC ranks TN 4th most obese stateDevastating flood throughout entire city 2011 Nashville named #16 sport city in the US. NCDC idea for alternative sports + brownfield site transformation• March NEA Grant application for Designing Action• October Shaping Healthy Communities project launches• November NEA “Art Works” grant awarded for Designing Action2012 Promotion of Designing Action, Design + print of poster sent to all US Architecture + Urban Design Schools. Design of competition website • March-May Graphics, Sponsorships• May Competition website goes live• June Competition registration begins• June-Sept Outdoor exhibit design• August 13th Competition Deadline• August 20-27 Jury round 1

• August 29 Final selection of winners and finalists• September 16 Finalists announced, featured in CityPaper magazine• September 19 Private reception for finalists, jurors & sponsors• September 20 Winners announced, featured in the Nashville Scene with cover story, “Field of Dreams” by Christine Kreyling• September 20 - October 15 Opening outdoor exhibit & public reception• October 15 Announcement of People’s Choice Award• December Designing Action booklet design2013 Competition featured in PAISEA landscape architecture magazine March issue: Waterscapes• April Designing Action publication released

09

Project Distribution

The NCDC set a goal to capture “BIG

ideas” from around the world to elevate the

conversation about this topic and site. To

achieve a broad spectrum of submissions, the

NCDC explored various avenues to announce

Designing Action. Each university in the US

with an architecture, landscape architecture

or urban design program received a physical

promotional poster to display in student

common spaces. As this competition was

open to both students and professionals, we

reached out to a dozen online architectural

and urban design resources to include

Designing Action on up-to-date lists of open

competitions that cater to audiences around

the globe. The Designing Action website

served as an additional promotional tool and

resource to ease entrant usability. Covering

6 continents, the diverse cross-section of

entrants confirmed a successful outreach to

the US and international community.

ACTIONDESIGNING

N A S H V I L L E

designing-action.orgCHECK IT OUT AND REGISTER AT

An international design competition.

designing-action.org/registerSUBMIT YOUR DESIGN TODAY

Designing Action, a design competition to explore new concepts for imagining development focused on an active lifestyle and alternative sports in Nashville, sponsored by the Nashville Civic Design Center.

THINK BIG DESIGN BOLD CREATE TRANSFORMATION SUBMIT TODAY

75 ACRES DOWNTOWNGATEWAYfloodplain

brownfieldconnectivity

riverADAPTIVE REUSE RELEVANT PROXIMIT Y

HIGH PROFILE INFRASTRUCTURE

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Art Works.

BIKEWAY

think design create

submit

ACTIVEBIGFUTUREVISIONCHANGE

SPORTSMIXED USECONNECTIVITYADAPTIVE REUSEACCESSDEVELOPMENT

IMPACTOPPORTUNITYGATEWAYLIVEABILITYALTERNATIVESDIVERSITYVITALITY

AWARDSFIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

$5000$2500$1000

$500

SCHEDULESUBMISSION

DEADLINE

JURYEXHIBITION

OF FINALISTS

AUGUST 13TH

AUGUST 2012OCTOBER 2012

COMPETITION BEGINS JUNE 1

The Project

Designing Action is an IDEAS competition

to envision the many ways that infrastruc-

ture promoting active, healthy-living could

accomplish Nashville’s desire to become

the “Healthiest City in the Southeast.” The

Designing Action seeks to encourage the re-

imagining of an industrial site along Down-

town Nashville’s Cumberland River, with em-

phasis on creating active spaces for healthy

citizens; highlighting alternative sports and

related activities.

THINK CHANGE

Design can have a powerful impact on creat-

ing built environments that promote healthy

living. Nashville leaders are aggressively pur-

suing alternative ideas towards helping create

a healthier city. A primary goal of the com-

petition is to generate ideas for opportunites

that promote active lifestyles.

DESIGN SPORTS

Sports and athletic events are big business

and good for economic stablitiy. Nashville

ranks in the top 20 for best sports cities in

the U.S. Nashville hosts a myriad of profes-

sional, amateur, college, and high school

tournaments and events: basketball, figure

skating, gymnastics to name a few. What

could our future hold?

10 DESIGNING ACTION

“... BIG IDEAS CAN INSPIRE BIG CHANGE, AND NASHVILLE IS A CITY THAT ALWAYS LOVES TO THINK BIG! ”

“... THE TYPICAL NASHVILLIAN IS INCREAS-INGLY DIVERSE; OVER 80 LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND MORE THAN 10% OF RESIDENTS SPEAK A LAN-GUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH AT HOME. GROWTH PREDICTIONS FOR DAVIDSON COUNTY PREDICT THE AREA TO DOUBLE IN POPULATION BY 2035.”

11

DESIGN CONNECTIVITY

While Nashville may have numerous obstacles

to overcome in becoming a healthier city, our

government and many other organizations

continue to initiate progressive solutions

for issues related to the built environment.

Sustainability and health impacts from new

development are important driving factors

for future design considerations.

CREATE ALTERNATIVES

The East Bank of the Cumberland River

was chosen as the site for this IDEAS

competition because of its high profile

location — immediately accessible and in

full view of Downtown, a greenway through

the site connects from Downtown to Shelby

Park, one of the city’s premier public parks,

and it is adjacent to the city’s newest park

— Cumberland Park. The site has amazing

access to regional transportation via: three

major interstates, a commuter train line, close

proximity to Downtown’s commuter bus

service, and the Music City Bikeway, a 26 Mile

bicycle commuter path through Davidson

County. Most importantly, the site serves as

a major gateway to Downtown, and for many

people, it is the first glimpse they see of

Nashville upon arriving in the city.

LEFT: Aerial View of Site

RIGHT: Designing Action Logo

ACTIONDESIGNING

N A S H V I L L E

NASHVILLE’S EAST BANK

these are exactly the types of urbaN opportuNities that are beiNg explored iN other parts of the world, that require a great deal of courage aNd forward-thiNkiNg from the populace that will eNjoy it. such a loNg-term commitmeNt requires the desigN to perform iN multiple ways to provide value throughout the developmeNt process. this type aNd scale of project are exactly what u.s. cities Need to create ideNtity aNd meet the Needs of their future citizeNs. ”

DESIGNING ACTION ENTRANTator, Development

“

History

In 2010, Nashville experienced one of the

worst floods in its history. In a 36 hour

period, over 13 inches of rain fell in the

county, causing over $2.5 billion in damages.

Conversations since the flood have focused

on determning more sustainable ways the

city can approach development to help

prevent future disasters. Additionally,

perceptions of the East Bank site’s future are

being reconsidered, as two thirds of the site’s

75 acres lie within the 100 year floodplain.

TOP: 1934 Aerial View of Site

BOTTOM: Site during 2010 FloodWoody Hatchett - woodfinx.net

13

14 DESIGNING ACTION

Given that 25+ acres must be preserved

for floodplain and stormwater purposes

by any proposed development, how can

we maximize the greatest use for this site?

Nashville is home to an expansive, growing

public parks and greenway network, primarily

comprised of open, passive spaces. With

this IDEAS competition we strive to promote

active, funtional uses integrated with new

development. What are we missing from our

current infrastructure that would transform

the limitations of this site into its strengths -

activating the riverfront and anticipating the

future of athletics and competitive sports?

The site has many challenges that confront

its redevelopment. It is a brownfield site

disconnected from the neighborhoods of

East Nashville by an elevated interstate.

Almost the entire site was flooded; it is

crucial that any proposal should consider

these factors in the design.

Numerous studies conducted by both the

city and private groups over the past decade

have reimagined the East Bank as a mixed-

use neighborhood, that could better serve

the city’s interest to incorporate an active

24 hour riverfront, and also helps reconnect

the neighborhoods of East Nashville to

Downtown. The hope is that this competition

will generate ideas to help inform the future

plans for the site and future healthy and

active lifestyles.

The Site

TOP LEFT: Street Level View of Site

TOP RIGHT: Aerial View of Site

BOTTOM: Panoramic View of Site

15

Site Conext

16 DESIGNING ACTION

CUMBERLAND RIVER: NAVIGABLE RIVER WITH ACTIVE BARGE TRAFFIC

BICENTENNIAL MALL: DOWNTOWN GREENWAY

EAST NASHVILLE: NEIGHBORHOOD

MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM: EVENT SPACE

LP FIELD: HOME TO THE NFL TENNESSEE TITANS

DESIGNING ACTION SITE: 75 ACRES OF BROWNFIELD

CUMBERLAND PARK: WEST BANK, PHASE 2

CUMBERLAND PARK: EAST BANK, PHASE 1

KOREAN VETERANS BLVD: SERVES AS PRIMARY GATEWAY INTO DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE DOWNTOWN CORE

BRIDGESTONE ARENA: HOME OF THE NHL NASHVILLE PREDATORS ROLLING MILL HILL: NEW MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

MUSIC CITY CENTER: 1.2 MILLION SQ. FT. CONVENTION CENTER

THE GULCH: FIRST LEED CERTIFIED NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE SOUTH

17

Site Features

OVERPASS COULD BE REDESIGNED TO PROVIDE MORE DEVELOPMENT

LP FIELD HOME OF NFL TENNESSEE TITANS

MDHA PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES

INTERSTATE 24 BUILT IN 1961 AVERAGE ANNUAL DAILY TRAFFIC COUNT: 125,000 + TRIPS

SHELBY STREET PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

PHASE 1 NASHVILLE CUMBERLAND PARK

I-24 OVERPASS INCLUDES 80 CONCRETE SUPPORT COLUMNS + 40’ CLEARANCE

MUSIC CITY BIKEWAY CONNECTS DOWNTOWN TO SHELBY BOTTOMS

FIVE EXISTING FUEL SILOS

50 ACRES OF SITE IN FLOODPLAIN

3,000 FEET OF CUMBERLAND FRONTAGE

DOWNTOWN GREENWAY

ROLLING MILL HILL

18 DESIGNING ACTION

w

w

THEDESIGNINGACTIONCOMPETITION

the competitioN was a faNtastic call for ideas for a difficult but typical iNdustrial site so close to a dowNtowN. we eNjoyed our work oN it aNd it has beeN Nice learNiNg about the Nashville civic desigN ceNter aNd its ambitious goals.”

DESIGNING ACTION ENTRANT

”

About the Competition

20 DESIGNING ACTION

Extensive briefing materials were assembled

for competition entrants describing the

physical qualities of the site. The Competition

Brief booklet included the following:

• Information on the Purpose and Procedures

of the Competition

• Site Description and Location

• History

• Schedule

• Registration/Submission Guidelines

• Design Problems to Address

• Alternative Sports Options

• Awards

WHO CAN ENTER

Designing Action IDEAS competition is open

to all interested entrants. Individuals, teams,

professionals, students, and artists from

around the world are encouraged to sub-

mit their visions and designs. Entrants may

submit multiple designs, but must obtain a

unique ID number for each submission.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All submissions must be submitted digitally

through the competition website or email.

Each entrant will recieve a unique, anony-

mous entry number to use for the submission

process. Entrants will be required to submit

the following:

1

2

3

4

5

ALTERNATIVE SPORTS SUGGESTIONS

Badminton, Beach Volleyball, Bocce, BMX,

Canoeing, Climbing, Repelling, Cricket, Cro-

quet, Cycling, Field Hockey, In-Line Skating,

Kayaking, Lacrosse, Lawn Bowling, Long

Boarding, Mountain Biking, Oversized Chess,

Parkour/Freerunning, Quidditch, Rowing,

Rugby, Senior-Friendly Athletics, Skate

Boarding, Trials Biking, Frisbee, Zip Line

Requirements

Site Plan

Detailed Plan Proposal

Representative Section

Perspective

Additional Perspective

21

The best public spaces allow you to be

yourself — an independent human being

with a unique vision of the world - while

also communicating the message that you

are a valued and important member of the

larger community. To achieve this goal,

designers and planners rely on criteria to

evaluate whether a particular public space

will be successful.

The Designing Action competition jury used

the critera desicribed here in their review of

the competion entries.

DOES THIS IMPROVE THE EAST BANK’S:

CIRCULATION enabling all users to move

safely and easily through and within space

CONNECTIVITY providing links and easy

passage to surrounding neighborhoods, and

from one area to another

BEAUTY giving pleasure to the senses

NATURAL SYSTEMS integrating natural

phenomenon and systems

PROGRAM creating new services,

opportunities, or activities for visitors

DIVERSITY increasing the East Bank’s

capacity to serve a range of users

CONTEXTUALITY strengthening the East

Bank’s connection to its cultural, historical, or

physical context

ORIGINALITY/CREATIVITY bringing

something new or innovative.

Selection Criteria

Competition Jury

22 DESIGNING ACTION

MEL CHIN

Mel Chin was born in Houston, Texas in 1951.

Chin’s art is both analytical and poetic. He is

known for the broad range of approaches in

his art, including works that require multi-dis-

ciplinary, collaborative teamwork and works

that conjoin cross-cultural aesthetics with

complex ideas.

Chin also insinuates art into unlikely places,

including destroyed homes, toxic landfills,

and even popular television, investigating

how art can provoke greater social awareness

and responsibility.

CHRISTINE KREYLING

Christine Kreyling is a freelance writer and

the architecture and urban planning critic

for the Nashville Scene. Her articles for the

Scene have received three awards from the

American Planning Association for best

writing in the nation. She is a contributing

writer to Architectural Record, Competition,

Nashville City Paper, NFocus, Planning and

Preservation. Kreyling is a citizen activist as

well as a journalist. She was one of the found-

ers of the Nashville Urban Design Forum and

the Nashville Civic Design Center. Kreyling is

the former chief curator of the Cheekwood

Museum of Art and has an M.A. in art and ar-

chitectural history from Vanderbilt University.

TODD ROGERS

Todd Rogers, an Olympic Gold Medalist and

Professional Beach Volleyball Athlete, began

his career teamed with Dax Holdren, win-

ning eight titles in seven seasons. He holds

a degree in Religious Studies and a minor in

coaching from UCSB, where he was the assis-

tant men’s volleyball coach for five years.

ANNE DAVIS

Anne Davis is the Managing Attorney for the

Southern Environmental Law Center. Working

in all three branches of government and with

more than 100 partner groups, this non-

profit organization shapes, implements, and

enforces the laws and policies that determine

the quality of the air you breathe, the water

you drink, and the landscapes and communi-

ties you love.

23

PATRICK PIUMA

Patrick Piuma is the Director of the Urban De-

sign Studio and the Associate Director of the

City Solutions Center at the University

of Louisville. Patrick has a Master of Urban

Planning degree from the University of Lou-

isville. His main concentration is on issues of

sustainability and how the design of the built

environment can improve the quality of life

for its inhabitants. Before transitioning to the

field of urban planning and design, Patrick

worked as a multimedia, web and graphic

designer for a local ad agency for the better

part of seven years.

CYRIL STEWART

Cyril Stewart is the Director of Facility Plan-

ning at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

and was elected to the American Institute

of Architects National Board of Directors.

Stewart came to Vanderbilt in 1983 and has

led the medical campus through tremendous

growth. His major projects include The

Vanderbilt Clinic, Eskind Biomedical Library

and Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks.

SUSAN SZENASY

Susan S. Szenasy is Editor in Chief of

METROPOLIS, the award-winning New York

City based magazine of architecture and de-

sign. Since 1986 she has lead the magazine

through decades of landmark design journal-

ism, achieving domestic and international

recognition. She is internationally recognized

as an authority on sustainability and design.

TOP 20ENTRANTSDesigning Action tackles maNy eNviroNmeNtal, ecoNomic aNd social pressures faciNg today’s americaN coNtemporary city. beyoNd the NotioN of simply geNeratiNg ideas, the competitioN provides a productive platform for citizeNs aNd civic leaders to have coNversatioNs oN how future geNeratioNs might beNefit from aN improved quality of life iN Nashville. it was truly a humbliNg experieNce to take partake iN such aN iNitiative…the city of Nashville truly has aN iNcredible opportuNity ahead of them! ”

MICHAEL ALBERT AND VICTOR PEREZ AMADO Winners

ator, Development “

25

Response from Around the World

Participants:

133 teams, professional + student

300 individuals

29 countries

6 continents

90 cities worldwide

27 US States

Total Hours Spent: Approximately 17,000 hours (that’s about 2 years)

1st Place Winner theBEND

26 DESIGNING ACTION

MICHAEL ALBERT &

VICTOR PEREZ AMADO

CAMBRIDGE, MASS

While celebrating the site’s indus-

trial heritage, theBEND reinvents

the once-brownfield and redefines

Nashville living in a mixed-use urban

setting. Inspired by patterns synony-

mous with the Cumberland River, an

iconic pedestrian promenade weaves

throughout the district, immersing

individuals in an active-based, recre-

ational experience while addressing

flood issues.

2nd Place Winner The Yard

28 DESIGNING ACTION

JAMES MOORE,

KAREESMA ALI

& JEFFREY B. GOODMAN

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

The Yard creates spaces for healing,

growth, and change by embracing

a multifaceted view of health that

extends beyond the physical body

to the mind, city, and landscape.

By combining physical, natural, and

programmatic systems, The Yard

nurtures the well-being of Nash-

ville. From waterways, forests, and

gardens to active sports fields to

community-based classes and art,

different approaches to healthy con-

verge in The Yard.

3rd Place Winner Floodplan

30 DESIGNING ACTION

PATRICK HEYDA,

JENNIFER MICHALISZYN

& SHEN NI

ST. LOUIS, MO

Floodplan is the intentional flooding

of the site to bring water-friendly

recreation areas to an undeserved

area and community. At least 75%

of the floodplain is maintained to

embrace the water ‘event’ as a

permanent condition that supports

recreation and both active and alter-

native sports for all Nashville citizens.

Eco-Active

32 DESIGNING ACTION

MIKE BARKER

GUELF, ON, CANADA

Eco-Active is a catalyst for change

through a multi-layered strategy

of sports facilities, spaces for

open-ended recreation, along with

hybrid spaces of infrastructure

and ecology. This site becomes a

social condenser, which aims to

break down perceived ‘ecological

condenser’ as the designed,

synthesized landscape assists in

providing habitat, protecting the

site against flooding and prividing a

healthier environment for the city

of Nashville.

33

Restore Park

ANN ROTHOVE,

JAKE VACEK,

REID MOSMAN,

JORDAN SNITTJER &

MILAGROS ZINGONI

FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ

Restore Park was developed with

the concept of improving conditions

for both the site and its users. The

proposal for the park is organized

in a sequence of terraces to control

the changes in the river level,

avoid erosion in the river bank and

organize the different programs of

the site: sports, health, community

spaces, cultural events, services,

restaurants, and an artificial lake for

many different activites.

32 DESIGNING ACTION

Sense of Place

34 DESIGNING ACTION

NGUYEN CAM VAN

HANOI, VIETNAM

The community can gather and

participate in many active sports,

art, or leisure. Activities while

individuals can find their own ‘zen’

space that they need for their

reflection, their meditation, their

recall of the past. Daily and weekly

activites together with occasional

events are all arranged on the site

to ensure a lively urbanscape and

exciting atmosphere for all those

who visit public spaces.

Reprise

35

MEGAN TYMESKO,

JOANNA SCHWEVENS,

CARRIE RAINEY &

DANIEL BIGGS

SILVER SPRING, MD

A phased design approach that

brings remeditation, reconnection,

and revitalization to this site. The

proposed phasing heals the site,

drawing in community interest, and

crescendos to a complete design

solution that responds to the

challenges facing this site and the

Nashville Community.

Mirasol Park

36 DESIGNING ACTION

MICHAEL AVERITT &

LAUREN FASIC

HOUSTON, TX

Mirasol Park is a proposal for an

adaptive urbanized landscape

that will serve the city’s varied

needs over time. The proposed

infrastructure reintegrates the

area with the adjacent East

Nashville neighborhoods by turning

the interstate into a signalized

parkway. In addition, the exisiting

fragmented network of streets will

be streamlined and a tram will take

people through the whole riverfront

area. The whole system is structured

around a roundabout with an

ampitheater created of recycled

steel and concrete from the existing

site. This structure will serve as a

striking reminder of the former site

by organizing all future development

around it.

The Hill

37

SHAWN M. BALON &

GREGORY T. KAEUPER

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Hill’s main feature is a large

man-made hill, which sweeps across

the entire site. Its top is covered in

active recreational activity while its

underbelly teems with cutting-edge

green infrastructure. It is here at

The Hill, that Nashville becomes a

model city of physical and

mental health.

32 DESIGNING ACTION

Cumberland Corner

38 DESIGNING ACTION

EDWARD KRAFCIK

BOSTON, MA

As a thriving community and

precedent for brownfield

redevelopment, Cumberland Corner Nashville is envisioned as the

new, hip destination centered on

recreation and health. In blending

a culture of fitness enthusiasm

with sport, living, working, dining,

healthcare, food production

and a vibrant water front, the

neighborhood becomes a truly

revolutionary space.

Sustainable Landscape

39

YOUNG-AE CHUNG

MARIETTA, GA

The design vision is to create a

successful place that promotes

active living, cultural diversity, and

environmental stewardship. The

site plans has five components

that fulfull this vision; creation of a

space that fosters civic engagement,

the creation of an authentic place,

creating useful interconnectivity,

fostering diversity on all levels,

and the most fundamental

component to the site is

environmental sustainability.

River East Park

40 DESIGNING ACTION

SABA HAMIDI,

PAUL DRUMMOND,

KATIE VOCKE &

JOHN MCCARTHY

BALTIMORE, MD

The sculpted earthwork and viewing

mount, which defines the newly

constructed River East Park, is a

celebration of the Mississippian

culture that once dominated the

region. The large earthen mound

located along the river edges

is the focal point of the site -

providing walking, hiking and biking

opportunities to the elevated

outdoor viewing platforms.

Music City Loop

41

CHRIS GREEN,

PAUL LEGAN &

ERIC MCGINNIS

NASHVILLE, TN

The Loop activates a post-industrial

site by populating the periphery with

high-speed activitites and opening

the center to a wetland to mitigate

harmful ecological shifts. Sinuous

forms engage the city and the users

to promote continuity among civic

spaces and the healthful places.

32 DESIGNING ACTION

Sportive Floodscape

42 DESIGNING ACTION

WONG HOI KEI,

KADY LIU KA CHUEN,

KONG LOK LAM &

TINA

CENTRAL DISTRICT,

HONG KONG

Waterfront is a valuable asset to

the city and its citizens. Returning

the waterfront to Nashville citizens

for enjoyment and relaxation is

the primary goal of our proposed

design. Taken into account the risk

of flooding, the proposed design

shall be capable of alleviating the

impacts of flooding. Hence, our

design aims to establish a green

development model for future

riverfront development.

Eco-Social Urbanism

43

DAVID LOSE,

CHRIS CAMP,

MARY VAVRA,

MICHAEL PAVIN &

JAY EVERETT

NASHVILLE, TN

By creating a walkable community

with complete streets, mix

of uses, diversity of housing,

energy efficiency, environmental

responsibility and recreation

opportunities - The East Bank will

be transformed from a polluted site

into the healthy heart of the city.

The design provides healthy habitats

within the social framework of the

architecture of the community,

strengthening the mind, body and

soul and reinventing the East Bank.

Nashville Riverside Academy @ The Lagoon

44 DESIGNING ACTION

IAN WALE

FALKIRK, UNITED KINGDOM

Nashville Riverside Academy @ The Lagoon is a new sports and outdoor

pursuits academy in downtown

Nashville. Focused around a new

man-made lagoon, the terraced

landscape provides a multitude

of activities while perfoming key

functions such as flood alleviation

and increasing biodiversity.

Sports Harbor

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JUNHAO JIANG

GAINESVILLE, FL

The project operates at a site level

to develop a vibrant open space

that promotes active lifestyles at a

city-scale. Sports Harbor envisions

the Cumberland River as a corridor

and connector that brings new

recreational, economical, and

social opportunities to Nashville’s

riverfront. The site is made of

modular fields that accommodate a

variety of sports types. Each field is

built on a floating structure, making

it movable along the river.

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Alternative Visions

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Designing the Exhibit

The concept of the Designing Action exhibit

was to create an interactive, engaging exhibit

that responded well to the site. Located

at Rolling Mill Hill, this outdoor space had

an excellent view of downtown Nashville

as well as a view to the competition site on

the East bank. By orienting the exhibit panels

west, viewers were able to experience the

competition site while reviewing the

finalists’ proposals.

Large triangular panels displayed the finalists

and allowed the exhibit to become more

three-dimensional. The three winners each

were given a double-sided panel in a separate

“winners’ circle”. Other finalists each had a

single-sided panel to display their projects.

The colorful, active scale figures made the

exhibit exciting and energetic while reflecting

the overall concept of the competition.

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Building the Exhibit

The exhibit consisted of 10 triangular, steel-

framed pods. They were assembled and

secured into the ground with concrete

footings, as well as on-grade ballasts. The

graphics were printed on heavy-duty vinyl

and attached to the frames with industrial

strength Velcro. The exhibit was constructed

in two days with about ten volunteers, and

remained open for one month.

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TOP: Metal frames constructed on site.

LEFT: Graphic panels at NCDC office before assembly.

RIGHT: Volunteers attaching a graphic panel to the frame.

TOP LEFT: Front panel for a finalist attached to the frame.

BOTTOM LEFT: Top three finalists’ panels in winners’ circle.

RIGHT: Back panel attached to the frame with NCDC logo.

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Opening Day Exhibit, Unveiling, & Awards

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TOP: Viewers on opening day in the winners’ circle.

LEFT: Viewers on opening day walking through the exhibit.

RIGHT: Individual proposals being dis-cussed by viewers.

Opening Day Exhibit, Unveiling, & Awards

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LEFT: First place win-ner Michael Albert of “theBend”.

TOP RIGHT: Second place winner James Moore of “The Yard”.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Third place winner Shen Ni of “Floodplan”.

Opening Day Exhibit, Unveiling, & Awards (cont)

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Opening Day Exhibit, Unveiling, & Awards (cont)

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