Design Alabama: The Public forum for Design in Alabama, Volume 6, Issue 1, 1995

              Fall 1995
Volume VI Issue I
$2.50
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THE PUBLIC FORUM FOR DESIGN IN ALABAMA
Design Alabama, Inc.
Board of Directors:
Rip Weaver, Chairman
Sherlock Smith Adams
Birmingham
Joseph R. Donolro, Vice Chairman
Donotro & Associaies
Dothan
Sue M. Parker, Secretary
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa
Lloyd Philpo't, Treasurer
Phi/po 't Design
Decatur
Robert Allen, P.C., Attorney
Robert HAllen
Mobile
Faye DeMassimo
Federa/ Highway Administration
Montgomery
Nancy Mims Hartslield
Auburn University
Visual Communications
Auburn
Major Holland
Major Holland Architecture
Tuskegee
Carl M. Hunt
The Pinnacle Group, Inc.
Birmingham
Henry Hughes
Shades Va/ley Forestn;, Inc.
Birmingham
SamW. Kates
Wiregrass Museum of Art
Dothan
Mark C. McDonald
Mobile Historic Development Commission
Mobile
Tom Mason
Mason Communications
Mobile
Kenneth M. Penuel
Southern Company Services
Birmingham
Charles W. Raine
David Jones Jr. & Associates, Inc.
Birmingham
Michael Tillman, AlA, 180
K/P/S Group, Inc.
Birmingham
Sheri Schumacher
Auburn University
Auburn
Franklin Setzer, Executive Director
laura Quenelle, Administrative Director
Philip A. Morris, Director Emeritus
Sout:78m Progress Corporation
Birmingham
Volume VI, Issue I
Cover: The new Central Park Elementary School has made a significant impact on both its students and its
community. Photograph by Gary Knight.
From the Chairman:
DesignAlabama has made some significant
changes within the last few months which should
bringfuture benefits to the organization.
1 am pleased to announce that our new chairman
will be Rip Weaver, a landscape architect from
Birmingham. Rip's enthusiasm and support as a
board member has been exemplary.
Beginning in September, DesignAlabama entered
into a partnership with the Auburn University Center
for Architecture and Urban Studies in Birmingham.
The partnership was forged after our Executive
Director Sheila Wright, whose vision and energy
revitalized the program, resigned to pursue a Ph.d. in
North Carolina. We wish her well.
This new partnership maintains the support of the
State Arts Council and the DesignAlabama Board.
Please welcome Franklin Setzer as our executive
director and Laura Quenelle as our administrative
director. The offices ofDesignAlabama are now
merged within the Auburn Center on Twentieth Street
in Birmingham, and we are "open for bUSiness, " both
literally and figuratively. We are confident that
"business" is where our emphasis should be placed to
ensure the future viability of good design. We must
make design part of the equation that defines the
economic development and growth of our state. Both
DesignAlabama and the Center are committed to
support this principle. (.~
Ken Penuel
Editor: Tomie D. Dugas
Art Director: Nancy Hartsfield
Associate Art Director: Ross Heck
Electronic Illustrations: John Morgan
Contributing Writers: Rob Barranco, Tomie D. Dugas,
Marty Eilis. Mark C. McDonald. Philip Morris, Ken Penuel,
Franklin Setzer, Shelia Wright
This publication is made possible through funding by the
National Endowment fDr the Arts, a federal agency,
and the Alabama State COIJDCiJ on the Arts, a state
agency. DesignAiabama a/so receives (or has in ihe past
received) funding from the folfowing corporations:
Blount Foundation
Alabama Power Company
Alabama Department of
Economic and Community Affairs
Southern Company Services
A Specjaf Thanks to Philip Morris, editor-in-chief of
Southern Progress Corporation, for his on-going
assistance and advice with this ,DublicaHon; members and
stalf of the Alabama State Council on the Arts; faculty
members at Auburn University and to a/I others who
diligently support OesignA/abama and helped with this
issue. We appreciate your support!
Members are asked to contact us immediately if they fail
10 receive a copy.
Design Alabama, Inc.
Franklin Setzer, Execuiive Director
204 Norih 20th Street
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-254-8545
1-800-849-9543
FAX 205-323-8385
Submission Informalion
DesignAlabama encourages submissions from
its readers. Articles about work from ali design
disciplines are requested, as well as copy related to
historic preservation. For the spring issue in
particular we are seeking material on public
spaces/pedestrian environments. Please
submit copy along with visuals (photos, slides,
drawings, eic). to our managing editor, Tomie
Dugas, 425 S. Brookwood Or., Auburn, AL 36830.
Copy for Project News and Details 01
Interest should include a paragraph summary
detailing the nature of the project. the design firm,
principals and associates involved and any other
details that may be of interest such as unusual or
special design features, completion date,
approximate cost, square footage, eic. Also inciude
the name, address and phone number 01 the client
and an individual wlih the firm thai we may contaci
for further information. The deadline for the
spring/summer issue Is February 15. Direct inquiries
t.o Tomie Dugas at 334-821-9347 or Laura Quenelle
at 1-800-849-9543.
Innovative school designs: Stimulating
environments for learning. p.10
CONTENTS
Big Spring Park East: Refreshing renovation
of city park. p. 22
Mobile City Hall block: Challenging
transformation into museum complex. p. 9
FEATURES
"DESIGN IN EDUCATION"
INNOVATIVE ALABAMA SCHOOL DESIGNS
ADDRESS TODAY'S DEMANDS AND TOMORROW'S DREAMS. 10
ALABAMA SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS:
SYNERGY WITH THE CITY
ARTICLES
ALABAMA DESIGN SUMMIT
FOCUSING ON DESIGN'S POSITIVE INFLUENCE.
CHILDREN'S WEAR WITH A FLAIR:
DESIGNING DISTINCTIVE CHILDREN'S FASHIONS.
BIG SPRING PARK EAST:
REFRESHING UPGRADE OF URBAN OASIS.
DEPARTMENTS
ProjectANews
Work of statewide significance.
ACDP.Update
Design Scottsboro.
Historicai'i'Perspectives
City Hall transformation.
DesignlilMakes A Difference
Law office.
Details+Of Interest
Noteworthy observations.
DesignA!abama is a pubiication of Design Alabama, Inc.
Reader comments and submission of articles and ideas for future issues
are encouraged.
18
8
21
22
4
7
9
24
25
Alabama School of Fine Arts: Engaging
reflection of its urban setting. p. 18
ProjectANews
PrOject News
is a regular
feature of
lJesignAlabama and
provides
an opportunity
to keep
up-ta-date on
design projects
that have an impact on
our communities.
BEN LOOMIS PRESENTING MIS PROJECT TO ARCHITECT
RUNE RAMFELT
lOCAL TOWNSPEOPLE AT THE EXHIBIT
DesignAlabama 4
STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN
THE NORWAY PROGRAM MIKE
DECURTINS, DON BOWEN, EVA
PERRY,ROBISARKAR,JOE
LONGORIA, ASHLEY SUlliVAN,
BEN LOOMIS, JOE AlCOCK
LOCAL MUSICIANS
IN CONCERT
PERFORMING
TRADITIONAl
FOLK MUSIC
KPS Group Inc. has been select­ed
to design the Oxmoor Community
Education Center (OCEC), a new school
complex to serve the Oxmoor community
currently being developed by USX Realty
and the City of Birmingham. The
Birmingham Public Schools Board approved the selection of KPS
based on the recommendation of its selection committee, which
conducted a three-tiered selection process that included a four-day
design competition among three Birmingham architectural firms.
The Oxmoor Communip} Education Center will be approxi­mately
220,000 square feet, constructed in phases on a 50-acre site
in the East Village Center at Oxmoor. It will include an elementan}
school serving approximately 500 students and a middle school
serving approximately 750 students. The PNO schools will share a
common auditorium and food service, as weil as a library/media
center and outdoor recreation facilities for the entire community. A
community education component will provide after-school child
care and adult educational and recreational opportunities.
The new school is conceived as a model school, with an
instructional program that will emphasize the interrelated nature of
the teaching/learning process and active involvement of students in
the learning environment The Birmingham Public Schools and the
UAB School of Education will engage in a joint venture to staff the
OCEC. it wii! serve as an innovative laboratory for developing and
testing teaching strategies and the use of technology as a teaching
tool. Successful teaching strategies will be imported into other
schools in the Birmingham Public Schools system.
PLAINSMAN PARK
The third time at bat Auburn University chose Cooke,
Douglass, Farr and Lemons of JacKson, Miss., in association with
McKee and Associates Architecture and Interior Design
of Montgornery to design the new baseball stadium Plainsman
The students toured significant architectural, cultural and
natural sites throughout southern Norway led by AU professor
Susan Silberberg and prominent Norwegian architect Rune
Ramiel!. The fourth- and fifth-year students worked co!lectively to
survey and document the issues and opportunities in the town.
Then they made a proposal for a Cultural Heritage
Research Institute as an alternative addition to the economic base
of the town and as a balance for tourism. The Institute would cre­ate
venues for university students, faculty and researchers to study
R0ros in the areas of architecture, history, environmental law,
ecology, agriculture and archeology.
Each student completed a design study for one venue in the
proposed Cultural Heritage Institute. The projects presented opportu­nities
for closer analysis of specific questions, issues and dilemmas
among the separate aspects of the proposal and how each would
integrate and impact the town. The proposal was we!! received by the
townspeople, Norwegian architects and educators who were interac­tive
with the group. An exhibit of the work was presented in the
College of Architecture galiery October 9th through 18th.
JASMINE HILL VISITOR GENTER
Construction is underway for the Jasmine Hill Gardens
and Outdoor Museum Visitor Center in Wetumpka designed
by Barganier Davis Sims Architects ASSOCiated of
Montgomery. The 1 O,OOO-square-foot structure, set for comple-tion
in the spring of 1996, will recreate the appearance of
Olympia'S Temple of
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~:k~~:~:~~ocu:r~~y tor '~T ,u:f=I,fl] . :1
monies of the 1996 MAIN FLOOR PLAN
Park. The first h'JO bid designs submitted by another architectural Olympiad in Atlanta. On the facade, a portico with 17-foot Doric-firm
were significantly over budget. style columns will support the roof adorned by an acroterion
The CDFLjMcKee team produced a stadium within the copied from the museum in ancient Olympia.
agreed budget of $2.4 miliion along traditional design lines with
seating for 2,890. With a base bid of $2.217 miilion, which was
$180,000 under the architect's estimate, the university was able to
accept all alternate options. These include brick wails along the
first- and third-base sides, an Auburn dressing room, an enclosed
batting cage, meeting rooms, increased field lighting and other
items. Construction is underway with completion in time for the
1996 season opener in February.
Eight students in architecture at Auburn University spent
six weeks this summer in the UNESCO World Heritage Site town
of R0ros, Norway They were invited to assist in evaluating oppor­tunities
and potential, as well as to help assess how to deal with
controlied growth, under-used or
vacant buildings and manage a
growing tourist industry.
The 350-year-old town in
north central NorNay grew up
around local copper mining until
the mines were shut down in
1977. Because of its isolated location, the town remained dormant
until recently when its unique character began attracting tourists.
While tourism has brought a needed boost to the local economy,
Ii also has created change and growth which raises questions
about the town's Inherent character and the changes which are
rapidly taking place to accommodate tourism.
The new structure will feature a visitor reception area, mUl­timedia
orientation room, offices and a gift shop in addition to an
exhibition hall displaying three new copies of ancient Greek stat­ues
relating to the Olympics The Visitor Center will serve as the
focal point of a new entrance drive and new Olympic Walk, adding
additional area to the garden for floral and sculpture displays.
SUPERIOR BAR & GRILL
With style, Design/orm Inc. has successfully transformed
an existing Shoney's restaurant on Hwy. 280 in Birmingham into an
authentic Mexican border cantina. the Superior Bar & Grill.
Working closely with the owner, the architect incorporated old world
materials throughout the renovation of the building and explored
opportunities to use neon lighting as an architectural element rather
than signage The exterior material palette included antiqued stucco,
refurbished brick imported from Mexico and salvaged New Orleans
shiplap wood siding. The only new architectural materials used in
construction were concrete, ceramic tile and historic reproductions
of steel industrial warehouse windows.
Part of the challenge faced by the Birmingham-based archi­tectural
team of Blayne Rose and Craig Rogers was incorporat­ing
the unique materials as they arrived on site to enhance the
design and authenticity of the project The complexity of the project
required numerous detailed drawings and on-site adaptations to
produce the "fun" atmosphere desired by the owner.
CORNER SITE BEFORE
ALABAMA PEDIATRICS AFTER
David & Company
Architects Inc. of
Birmingham has convert­ed
an unsightly aban­doned
gas station site
into the new home of
Alabama Pediatrics.
The corner property is
located on U.s Hwy. 31
and Bonita Drive along
the western edge of the
h'lstoric Hollywood
neighborhood district in
Birmingham.
For years the property
remained unimproved and deteriorating with questionable feasi­bility
of being developed as anything but a convenience store.
David & Company challenged the limitations of a less-than-
20,OOO-square-foot site with its inordinate setbacks, environmen­tal
issues relating to the gas station, numerous utilities to be
removed, retaining walls that could not be removed and its loca­tion
adjacent to a State right-of-way.
Today the new 5,OO0-square-foot brick facility bridges the
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Lorenc Design of Atlanta in collabora­tion
with HOH Associates of Birmingham
was commissioned by the City of
Birmingham to design a civic sculpture for
the Birmingham Airport Lorenc Design
previously developed the wayfinding and
signage system for the airport
A sculptural scheme was created to represent the dynamics
of flight along the last half mile of Airport Highway as it approaches
the airport terminal. Landscape architect Robbin Gregory, directed
the construction of a 50-foot wide berm eight feet tall at the opposite
end to buffer rental car lots. The landscape plan is simple-green
lawn interspersed with a 20-foot wide swath of monkey grass onto
which are located eleven chevron-like wing sculptures. They are
mounted or an adjustable coiumn and grouped in one, tvo or three
units. The backdrop is a solid cloud-like formation of evergreen
trees. Ughting, to be adjusted on site, wili add dramatic eftect The
installation will be completed by fall 1995.
Nimrod Long and Associates was chosen from a field
INTERIOR DESIGN
Betty Warnock of Warnock
Interiors Inc. in Birmingham is working
on a residential project with Carolyn
Goldstein Interiors in which the design
concept for the interior was built around
the owners' art coilection. This design
team's influence on the Uberty Park residence of Bill and Dianne
Mooney has extended to the exterior as well.
Though the architecture is traditional European, the interior is
contemporary. Niches were built into the wails to display artwork
of experienced planners and landscape architects to develop a and the fireplace was indented in an arch as a backdrop for a
master plan and a master landscape design for Birmingham- hand-made paper collage in the living rocm. The convex side of
Southern College the entrance wall was textured by wali artist, Jan Roberts, with
The campus has outgrown its current facilities, and is in accents in copper to reiterate the tone of the copper sconces
need of a thoughtlul master pian to coalesce the collection of 1920s, which adorn the wall.
40s and 60s buildings and planting designs with 20-year projec- Granite countertops, bleached hardwood floors and tile are
tions for housing, academic and administrative building needs. NLA used as finishes highlighted by unusual chandeliers, architectural
has developed site plans for a student center and plaza addition, wallpapers and both neutral and intense wa!1 colors.
charm of a historic neighborhood to its hectiC commercial bound- technology center building, student litness center, student housing
ary. The building defines entry and addresses its corner location alternatives and an art center building and plaza expansion.
with a pyramidal high-volume lobby/waiting space sculpted by Vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems have been
arched dormers. Full-height glass wa!ls wrap the waiting rooms to redesigned to create dramatic views of the hiily campus, and the
further enhance the open and airy atmosphere. Outdoor light filters building sites have been chosen to reinforce axial views. The master
into other areas of the facility via exam rooms arranged linearly plan creates outdoor rooms and returns the campus geometry back
along two exterior walis, each with exterior windows, and continu- to its early 1900s' concepL
ous clerestory glass along exam/corridor walls. Wide corridors with The 4000-square-foot home also will feature a hand-craft-large
clear stained oak trim create warmth and comfort for patients
and staff. Even with minimal area for landscaping, simple planting
material provides the finishing touch to the project
RICKWOOD FIELD
Davis Architects inc., of Birmingham has developed a
master plan for restoring Rickwood Field, the oldest baseball
park in America. Thetacllity built in 1910 by Birmingham indus­trialist
Rich Woodward is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. The renovation plans include provisions for a
new roof, old-fashioned scoreboard and unique Vlooden louvers
to provide shade for the players and natural air conditioning for
the fans. The original press box is to be restored, vintage-style
seating will be installed and street improvements to be imple­mented
include landscaping sidewalks and antique lighting.
A Museum of Southern Baseball History is part of the project
being developed by the Friends of Rickwood, a non-profit organi­zation
with authority over the restoration and management of
Rickwood through a 50-year lease. The master plan budget is
$4.6 mil:ion to restore and preserve Rickwood and an additional
$2.6 million to design and construct the museum. A national
fund-raiSing program is scheduled for fall 1995.
Ecotourism is becoming an
increasingly important specialty field in
the discipline of environmental design.
Brian laHaie, an AU professor in
landscape architecture, will spend his
professional development leave traveling
in Panama, Costa Rica, Belize and other
parts of Central America as part of his
ongoing research into environmental
COSTA RICA planning, ethics and eco-tourism. In
September 1994 he visited Panama as a part of a multi-disciplinary
team of Auburn faculty led by history professor Michael Conniff to
investigate opportunities for collaboration with Panama in the areas
ed dining table and specially designed rugs when completed in
December 1995.
FASHION DESIGN
Computerization of American industry
has been rapidly evolving over the last sever­al
years, but this evolution has been slow to
filter down to the apparel and textile industry.
The primary reason is that available technol­ogy
is extremely expensive and difficult to
learn and use. Manual design and production methods are time­consuming,
tedious and subject to error. Computer technology
of agro-forestry, transportation and eco-tourism. has significant advantages over the manual methods currently in
Prior to his departure in January, LaHaie will attend the use. Computer sketching facilitates rapid design and color con-
Second International Ecolodge Forum in Costa Rica in October where ceptualization and provides instantaneous style alteration. Pattern
he wi!1 meet with developers, environmental planners, architects and design and drafting systems allow designers to move styies to the
landscape architects and government officials to discuss the past, production room faster and with improved accuracy.
present and future of eco-tourism. The purpose of an Agricultural Experiment Station
PANAMA CANAL
research project undertaken by Lisa Shanley at Auburn
University was to develop 10Vi-cost computer-aided design soft­ware
for apparel designers. She has developed a computerized
drafting system to allow a designer to input an individual's mea­surements
and then draft basic patterns to those exact measure­ments.
She also has automated familiar pattern-making tech­niques
such as slash and spread and dart transfer to allow the
designer to quickly incorporate style features. The system also
provides for digitizing of a company's existing patterns. These pat­terns
then can be stored and reused or changed to create new
styles. Shanley's system also wil', include a module tor determ'in-ing
the most efficient layout of patterns on fabric.
5 Volume VI, No. I
URBAN DESIGN
A number of communities in Alabama are
taking advantage of transportation enhance­ment
funding to estabiish bicycle and pedes­trian
trails. Intermodal Sunace
Transportation Efficiency Act (lSTEA) funds
have been used to complete bike and/or
pedestrian trails in Troy. Arab. Guntersville, Ballyton and
Montgomery in the past few years. In addition, trails are under
construction in Phenix City, Gulf Shores, Town Creek and
Mountain Brook.
Nimrod Long and Associates of Birmingham prepared
Mountain Brook's grant application and plan for the Village
Trail System It consists of a pedestrian walkway loop linking
three historic shopping villages and an existing linear park. The
walkway system will build on 8.4 miles of existing walkways and
trails. adding 5.4 miles of new walkway construction to link major
destinations within the community.
ISTEA funding is also being used for restoration of the
Loveman Building to house the Discovery 2000 Museum in
Birmingham An Omnimax Theatre is planned for Second
Avenue and 19th Stmet on the site of the old Newberry's depart­ment
store which will be torn down. A parking garage will be
refurbished in conjunction with this project. Lead architect is Lee
Nichols Hepler of Charlotte, N.C. Gresham, Smith and
Partners of Birrningham has been retained as associate architect
and engineering consultant. Auburn University Center for
Architecture and Urban Studies in Birmingham has a con­tract
to provide the required photographic and graphic documen­tation
on the buildings affected by the project. Construction is
slated to be cornpleted by the end of 1997.
MAIN STREET AT CIVIC SQUARE
RAILROAD SQUARE
"f~
"."-f~-~-~~-t=~:;~::~.~;i~}.'~ ~~l K_~:__]_fJ > "i',' --
CIVIC SQUARE
In 1994 the Chamber of Commerce and City of Alexander
City, concerned about their downtown area, agreed to undertake a
comprehensive plan for the area. With the help of a team of plan­ners
and architects from KPS Group Inc. led by Doug Kleppin,
director of design, and Larry Watts, project manager,
Operation Downtown Alexander City was formed and a
planning process initiated. The Downtown Revitalization
DesignAlabama 6
Plan is based on an economic analysis of the Alexander City mar­ket
area (Tallapoosa, southeastern Coosa and eastern Elmore
counties) and a physical analysis of Downtown Alexander City
proper. The plan is being reviewed by members of Operation
Downtown Alexander City. It will be finalized and adopted during
fall 1995.
A summary of the plan is as follows: The concept or vision
for the revitalization of Downtown Alexander City consists of rein­stating
downtown as the town center-a focal point of the city. This
concept is based on unique development districts including 1) a
traditional retail center that works well; 2) a retail niche especially
suited to downtown; 3) an institutional and office district centered on
the courthoUse; 4) a series of community activity centers which rein­force
these districts, and 5) new development opportunities which
will increase the employment and activity in the town center.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Where most industrial designers work in
the private sector with design teams to cre­ate
new products for commercial mass mar­kets,
Bynum Duren, a senior rehabiliiation
technology specialist works in the public
• sector to create products for individuals
with disabilities. Employed by the Alabama Department of
Rehabilitation Services (DRS), he works with other rehabilita­tion
team members to identity and provide appropriate technology
to enable people with disabiiities to reach their maxirnurn poten­tial.
Team members aiways include the client and may include a
counselor, social worker, vocational evaluator, physical therapist.
occupational therapist, speech therapist or other individuals who
can contribute to resolving the technology problem.
Duren consults with the team
members to solve product problems
by: 1) identitying and evaluating the
appropriateness of cornmercially
available products; 2) modifying these
products to "fit" the consumer; 3) or
by designing a new product or acces-sory.
Although the focus is on solving vocational-related technology
problems, teams also address problems in areas that include educa­tion.
independent living, communication, rehabilitation and recreation.
Although rnost team members are from the DRS, expertise
and assistance from the private sector may be utilized. Family mem­bers,
employers, rnanufacturers. vendors, educators and others
make significant contributions to solving the technology problern.
A current project involves working with interior designer
Kellena Deery of Zac Smith/Crawford in Birmingham. Their
task was to create a workstation from commercially available mod­ular
office systems for adults with a variety of functionallimita­tions.
To address the problem, the workstation needs of one indi­vidual
were isolated. After consulting with the individual and other
tearn rnembers. Duren compiled job task information and complet­ed
an ergonomic evaluation. Workstation speCifications were iden­tified
and idea sketches completed and provided to Deery. She
researched and identified the components of the commercially
available, rnodular office systems that rnet the ergonomic and
design specs of the client. Then Duren determined what modifica­tions
needed to be made for accommodating specific job tasks and
identified other special equipment needed for essential and non­essential
functions of the job. Finally, recommendations were
made for the appropriate commercially available products that
would render the work area usable and the individual competitive.
Changes in job task, equipment or workstation ergonomics
can have a devastating affect on job penormance by a person with
disabilities. The modular workstation these two designers have
created can be re-configured so that the employee can rernain
competitive The designers also anticipate that this system can be
customized to "fit" other individuals with different hurnan factors,
physicai abilities and job tasks.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SlaughterHanson of Birmingham has
created a series of flat direct mail pieces and
ads for Momentum Textiles of California.
The campaign "A Moving Inspiration"
features architects and interior designers
well known in the field who donate their ser­vices
to charity or pro-bono organizations. The agency compiled a
list of 30 candidates, and Momentum selected the three individuals
to feature in 1995. They include the examples shown below of
Samuel Mockbee, AU architecture professor and director of the rural
studio in Greensboro, and interior designers Helen Carreker of
California and Charies Gelber of New York. Three more will be
selected for 1996. Marion English is the art director and Liz
Von Hoene of Atlanta the photographer.
I
In conjunction with the effort to renovate Rickwood Field in
Birmingham, SlaughterHanson has created a logo and a series
of public service ads that deal with different aspects of saving the
ballfield. On the ad series Greg McGough is art director and
John Huet of Boston, photographer. The five ads feature scenes of
players shot with cameras from the 30s and 40s, embuing the
photos with a vintage look. A brochure by art director Marion
English. a poster and eventually a series of TV spots to air on
PBS will be forthcoming in efforts to generate funds for the
Friends of Rickwood organization.
ACDPtUpdate
>,,'''-!" '·L,:>, " .. ~ ..
,
Gateway, downtown and corridor studies developed for the Scottsboro charrette .
•
eSI n co s oro
he Alabama Community Design Program
(ACDP) completed its second community
design charrette of 1995 in Scottsboro this
past April The charrette, following one held in
Hartselle in February, involved five days of
intense activity for 10 volunteer design profes­sionals
from around the state and included substantial partic­ipation
from numerous Scottsboro residents throughout the
process.
The charrette, coordinated by ACDP board member Mike
Lamb of Birmingham, focused on issues related to
Scottsboro's downtown; linkage to its principal amenity,
Guntersville Lake; future development along Hwy. 72 south of
downtown, the need for appropr'late entry ways into the city;
and problems with managing storm-water runoff, particularly
in the area between downtown and the lake.
Following one-and-a-half days of reconnaissance, graph­ic
documentation and intensive interviews with local resi­dents,
the team settled in to prepare a series of concepts and
strategies to address the issues identified.
Major recommendations included enhancing downtown
as the historic core of the community and a "civic connec­tion"
from downtown to Guntersville Lake along Broad Street;
focusing anticipated new regional commercial development
along a segment of Hwy. 72 while restricting development
aiong other segments of the highway; and creating two "gate­ways"
into the city at the intersections which terminate the
recommended Hwy. 72 development corridor.
The main design feature developed during the charrette
was the transformation of Broad Street into a "civic boule­vard."
The design concept involves making Broad Street the
major street along which new community facilities would be
tied; the southern terminus would be at the intersection with
Hwy. 72. The southern end would include a new city entrance
at the intersection and a new park with a pond as a water
amenity The pond would also serve as a holding area for
excess storm-water runoff during rainy periods. Broad Street
itself would be improved with appropriate landscaping, street
lighting and provisions for signage that communicate infor­mation
about the city and the civic events that occur through­out
the year.
Other specific design recommendations include iandscape
improvements in downtown with emphasis on the Broad
StreeVCourthouse Square area; new permanent provisions on
vacant property for vendors connected with Scottsboro's
highly successful monthly "trade days;" a new eastern gate­way
at the intersection of Hwy 72 and 35, with a new street
connection from this gateway into the downtown; and general
development guidelines for vacant property along Hwy. 72.
The design team feels strongly that these proposed
improvements would assist the community in establishing a
clearer identity and sense of place for residents as well as
visitors. In doing so, the city would benefit economically by
virtue of the environmental enhancement, especiaily the
potential for tourist dollars associated with cultural and recre­ational
amenities such as Guntersville Lake.
The team's report was prepared as the work proceeded,
and was published by the Scottsboro Daily Sentinel following
presentation to the city council and interested citizens at a
public meeting.
Design Alabama staff and ACDP board members wili pro­vide
follow-up assistance to the community in order to help
ensure that local enthusiasm and momentum evidenced dur­ing
the charrette will continue. This assistance will include
located. This proposal includes the location of a new civic staff consultation on specific issues and helping the commu-center,
visitors center, the new high school and new recre- nity prepare specific implementation proposals for funding in
ational facilities as the focus of the community The northern the future.
terminus of Broad Street would be the new city hall location The ACDP design team for the DesignScottsboro charrette
adjacent to Courthouse Square where the city was first set- included: Larry Watts, director of planning for KPS Group Inc.
by Franklin Setzer
of Birmingham, who served as the team leader; Franklin
Setzer, associate professor of architecture and director of
Auburn University's Center for Architecture and Urban
Studies located in Birmingham; Steven Lee Johnson, land­scape
architect from Grover & Harrison P.C. of Birmingham;
Linda Mosch, transportation planner and engineer with
Gresham, Smith and Partners of Birmingham; Scott Miller,
graphic designer with R. Meadows & Fowler Inc. of
Birmingham; Chuck Weber, supervisor of Urban Forestry and
Horticulture for the Department of Public Services in
Huntsville; Joe Donofro, architect and principal of Donofro &
Associates of Dothan; and Jeffrey Brewer and Laura Gavin,
Auburn University architecture students and Brad Cordell,
landscape architecture student. Executive Director Sheila
Wright represented Design Alabama along with Board Chair
Ken Penuel and DesignScottsboro Coordinator Mike Lamb.
The DesignScottsboro charrette was made possible
through the generous and enthusiastic support of the com­munity.
The steering committee included: Jeptna Moody,
chair; Arelene Grede; Norman Johnson; Mark Scott Skelton;
and Chuck Snook. Others providing invaluable assistance
and support included: Curtis Davis, Penny Green, Rick
Loring, Thomas Norwood, Rick Owen, David Patrick, Stevie
Patrick, Glenn Smyth and Carmen Wann.
The ACDP/DesignScottsboro team is most grateful to all
those citizens of Scottsboro who made our visit so exciting
and enjoyable. 0
Franklin Setzer is professor of architecture and
director of the Center for Architecture and Urban
Studies for Auburn University. He is also the new
executive director for DesignAlabama.
7 Volume VI, No. I
ARCHITECTURE
LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE
INTERIOR DESIGN
URBAN DESIGN
INDUSTRIAL
DESIGN
GRAPHIC DESIGN
FASHION DESIGN :
"Good design influences
positive community development,
positive economic development and
is basically good for business. "
The economic growth and vitality of
Alabama is a topic demanding much atten­tion,
and it requires participation by all inter­est
groups to ensure success. Input by the
design commun'lty, especially a focused and
unified design community, can be essential
as a catalyst for sustained and quality expan­sion
of our state's economic base. But a key
partnership-within the design community
itself-has never been forged, nor an inter­disciplinary
consensus of the contribution
that could be made by "design" to economic
growth been formalized.
Hence the Design Alabama Summit
was formed. It provides a process struc­tured
to bring together professionals in the
design disciplines of architecture, land­scape
architecture, urban design and plan­ning,
graphic design, interior design,
industrial design and fashion design with
leaders from the "development" community
to discuss the relationship between design,
community development and economic
development.
The underlying assumption of the
summit process is that good design does in
fact translate into good business and has a
positive effect on the community and its
economic viability. The guiding philosophy
for implementation of the summit process is
to ensure an interdisciplinary focus and to
encourage collaborations and partnerships
in using the state's available resources more
effectively and efficiently for the good of all.
In late 1994 the process began with a
series of discipline-specific roundtables.
Each focused on questions exploring the
influence of design on development. The
core questions were:
OesignAlabama 8
a
88 n
umm
By Ken Penuel and Sheila Wright
• How does good design in your
discipline affect community develop­ment
and economic development?
.. .At both community and state levels.
• What strategies would enhance your
discipline'S ability to positively influ­ence
community development and
economic development? ." At both
community and state leveis.
• What are the implications for policy
development? What is the design
professional's role in developing
these pOlicies?
As the profeSSionals began the
process, it became important for each disci­pline
to remind itself that these questions
were larger than the typical issue of gener­ating
more business for the individual dis­ciplines.
The scope of thinking had to be
widened to include all design areas in
exploring the broad concepts and issues
which will shape the growth and develop­ment
and determining how each discipline
can contribute. The concepts remained
broad by design. These groups were chal­lenged
to explore the "what" and "why" and
not formulate an answer to the"how" at this
point, as again, the summit is a process.
Upon completion of the roundtables,
several observations could be made con­cern'lng
consensus.
First, partiCipants agreed that people
innately know what "good" design is when
they experience it directly. However, they
have diHiculty in translating their feelings
and emotions to personal and collective
behavior. For example, people may visit a
park or a particular city and comment on its
amenities and surroundings yet return to
their hometowns and fail to recognize and
value these same qualities in their own
communities. Seemingly, the power of indi­viduals
and groups to adapt to their situa­tions
far outweighs the ability to shape cir­cumstances
and align personal preferences
and choices with visionary concepts, i.e.
visions aren't reflected in actual behavior.
Second, the process of adapting to
higher standards while enacting public poli­cies
may be negatively perceived, especially
in the beginning of the evolution. It must be
realized that individuals, families, indus­tries,
and businesses make selections
based on a variety of reasons, including
their perceptions of and experiences in a
particular city, state or region Considering
this, Alabama's ability to attract new indus­try
and business may also depend on how
cities and towns evolve in terms of planning
and overall design. The extent to which
these places reflect qualities of good design
may also determine the state's ability to
retain these businesses once they've agreed
to relocate to the state.
Third, while architecture, landscape
architecture, urban design and planning lit­erally
play critical roles in the development
of a city, industrial deSign, interior design
and graphic design also contribute in very
constructive ways. The lalier provide a
"micro" perspective, often dealing with spe­cific,
more focused solutions rather than the
"macro" concerns of a site or project.
Also discovered during the summit
process was that engineering should be a
significant contr'lbutor. Engineers play an
important "design" role, especially in the
built environment, so a roundtable com­prised
of a multi-disciplinary group of repre­sentatives
from the eng'lneer'lng community­was
established. Is it time to consider engi­neering
a player in the design arts league?
While the obvious connections
between design and economic development
may not be the most critical factors needed
for positive and sustained growth, partiCi­pating
professionals commented that good
design maintained 'In simple and practical
approaches and conducted in a constructive
and well-informed manner can, indeed, cre-a
ate the climate and culture needed to sus­tain
a healthy economic environment. This
"common sense" approach to design,
building cities and to policy making has the
power to invigorate once stagnant down­town
cores or, thinking more broadly, an
entire state.
The deSign professionals also report­ed
the need to review current policies and
regulations not only at state and local lev­els,
but within the design field as well. They
noted a need to look at current curricular
practices in deSign education and to revise
these to encourage more inter-disciplinary
activities as well as private partnerships
with design firms and practitioners.
Now the process must continue. As
an outgrowth of the summit held in August
the partiCipants recognized the need for all
the design professions to continue to meet,
establish consensus and speak as a united
front in the economic development process.
The professions need a mechanism by
which they can share these concerns and
speak with ampliiied voices on the contri­bution
design arts can make to Alabama'S
economic vitality. Perhaps Design Alabama
can champion that effort.
The organization anticipates that in
1996 the economic community, govern­mental
and public sector leaders and the
design community will meet to engage in
meaningful dialogue and develop strategies
to support a development initiative. This
on-going dialogue could build better rela­tionships
between clients of deSign, eco­nomic
policy makers and development
communities. Design Alabama encourages
th'ts concept. II
Ken Penuel is the outgoing chairman 01 Design
Alabama. He based this article on his observations
of the August Design Summit and overview material
of the design descipline roundtables provided by
Sheila Wright. As former excutive director of
DesignAlabama. Wright initiated the Design
Summit process.
The development of a single
citv block in downtown
MobIle has the potentJal to
transform the port city's tourism
effolt into a major industly. Two
nonprofit organizations--111e
Exploreum of Mobile and the
Mobile City Museum-are planning
large museum projects for a high­profile
site bordered by the city's
1110St pron1inent streets.
111ese projecls offer the challenge
of building two dynamic museums
on a relatively small site, Equally
challenging tasks have been given to
the project architects who have been
asked to design technically demand­ing
new buildings which are COl11-
patible with Mobile's National
Historic Landmark City HalL In addi­tion,
this museum complex will
require separate loading docks,
entrances and tour-bus drop-off
points for the two institutions,
The Museum of the City of
Mobile's architect, Hayes, Seay,
Mattern & Mattem, are rehabilitating
the City Hall and Southern Market
Building which was constructed in
1856-57. 111is museum will be the
largest history museum in the state
and will incorporate the existing
National Historic Landmark City Hall
building, as well as a 20,OOO-square­foot
addition. 111is addition will serve
as the museum's main gallery space
for display of permanent and chang­ing
exhibitions. 111e design of this
addition has been the subject of
much discussion with federal, state
and local historic preservation offi­cials.
At controversy is the philoso­phy
taken by the National Park
Service that neVi additions should
"be differentiated from the old and
shall be compatible with the mass­ing,
size, scale and architectural fea­tures
to protect the histolic integrity
Historical'i'Perspectives
by Mark C. McDonald
of the property and the environ- contemporary interpretations of the
men1." The City Museum's architects, brackets, pilasters and other City
after much consultation with the Hall features. The Exploreum/
National Park Service, decided that Omnimax complex project also fea-the
least objectionable site for the tures restoration of a 1925 fire station
addition would be in an interior which is located on the eastem por-courtyard
space, rather than tion of the block. 111is building,
obscuring the exterior facades of known as the Matt Sloan Fire
City Hall. The architectural design Station, will be rehabilitated with a
of the addition has not been decid- $2 million ISTEA grant and used as a
ed yet but the architects from "hands-on'· science museum.
Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern Architects, museum board mem-have
preferred a contemporary bers and staff of both institutions
design which is dearly distinguish- have worked collaboratively to fit
able from the old building. the many needs of the respective
HammeL Green and Abrahamson museums on this single city block.
of Minneapolis and Holmes & The results of these large projects
Holmes of Mobile are the architects should be a dramatic symbiosis for
for the Exploreum/Science Museum downtown Mobile. ~
and Omnimax Theatre and have
moved in a more traditional direc­tion.
The massing and roof forms
are velY like City Hall and the archi­tectural
details will be Simplified
Mark C McDonald is director of the
Mobile Historic Development
Commission and a member of the
Design Alabama Board of Directors.
9 Volume VI. No. I
Innovative
Alabama School
~igns Address
i"":' and
uee-:011:wpractically a household
in discussions
>i\, ,F"~:N(fJ;; t()'f;>i!vnpro~i(]dsef.?Qo'I/JC)USI?S, stricter discipline and higher
a,caa!enJi~ ~ta1/l,--;lav'd" P"'OLbtFsi?VeratAlabama communities, a
when he
that society car~
,0'_.
'"J'.-"
abOut the conditions in
Stan Go.dwin,
Demtt~tiMJligh School. The primary goals for
Demopolis were to create a welcoming exterior reminis­cent
of the town's traditional architecture, to effectively
intJ'grate e~ucational a~~recr~ationaA\funq\i':~s and
prep~re foputure expa~s1on qrd tec~~0109iq,?1
reform has tran:jormed the
11().QLS, {:J:r;ea!tt)Jnf!, n~I'A/ life into education.
J Dllvr'.t-J communities, Alabama architects have
~ttif2c'eJil/bt 'iSCI'JOC)LS that tfl/fRt{J0rate the aesthetics a11:d
> . .[I?ctm.c1tof:!zes apptfJjJltate to their efJJltg}J!§nrfilents. While specific
. ···.det~ilsm0y. vary, the design goal remai1L)'4?7Y(] same: to create
si~d~t~Genl;~d~~ttingithUltstimu1(lte learn;~g,.at every turn:
···Ase;amptesofv;rlatiQrt's·~:nair.a.?j.itie~an7:z~e,-··
"--~ /-. '. _. ---"-. - -"-.~ '.-. -.-."-.,,----,,. -... ---._----- ,-
Demopolis High Schoqlby Sbertock8~lllja.1ZdA4qifi§.of '
Montgomery and theizbq School complex by MCKeeana.
. Associates of Montgomery njlect the classical brick architecture
".-----".~
OjsmalltQ:;mswhileincorporating the latest in technology. Both
-"-"-." "_ .. _-.-.- .. "--
serve as comm~~itygathering;P~t~ana,inElba:sQA§e, the
rebuilding of th~t~rJ/),EJ~q'Pllovided a f~~~lP~i~t7ar.rarrting
tragedy into triumph after the disastrous jlwd of 1990-
Still other schwl$ have engaged architects who drew on
! contemporary design expression to interpret their vif;ion.
&.
Regardless of approach, these Alabama schwls are creating
visually stimulating environments for learning to take place.
theflrrifE '/fJ{Z"ti(ilrVn Montf5cfNX'!iJi, which provides fi'tf!t1feting communication services
Hoover
HighSchool
Hoover, Alabatna
Arcbitect: Giattina Fld1er Aycock A rcbitects Inc.
Binninghaml Alabanza
It wasn·t an easy task for the City of
Hoover. but in only 15 months, architects and
builders constructed the massive 530 million
Hoover High School complex, finishing just
days before the stal1 of classes in 1994.
Early on. the 60-acre site posed envi­ronn1ental
challenges because citizens ,,-vere
concerned about stripping the rural area for
construction and creating runoff that \vo1..Jld
flow into the Cahaba River.
In consultation with landscape archi­tects
Nimrod Long and Associates, Giattina
Fisher Aycock heid a number of meetings with
members of the Cahaba River Society and other
concerned citizens. "As a result. the finished
project incorporates settlement ponds and care-fully
designed site drainage. The runoff goes to
controlled areas for deposit. I believe we were
able to satisfy everyone concerned,.· says
Project Architect Ty Cole.
Hoover High School. The general classroom building welcomes students with its limestone facade surmounted by a built­in
clock. To minimize the impact of parking for 1,300 students, two separate lots were developed. Each was then subdivided
with broad isiands of loblolly pines. Islands of willow oaks and tree diamonds with zelkovas further soften the paving
11,e 372,OOO-square-foot campus vvhich
serves more than 2,000 students consists of [\vo
buildings with an outdoor cOUltyard and
amphitheatre between them. The brick and
limestone exterior, along with a metal pitched
roo[ offers the traditional schoolhouse look.
Limestone columns and an arched colonnade
with a buiit-in clock at the face create a wel-cOIning
entrance.
Inside, deSigners aimed to "establish a
sense of rhythn1 and order in a vast environ­ment,"
says Cole. '·Each classroom core con­sists
of four classroom doors in a pod arrange­ment
with columns of individual, defining col­ors
at the entrances." Large hallways and sin­gle-
tier lockers allow traffic patterns to pro­ceed
without interruption.
But aesthetics are just pan of the st01Y
at Hoover. The school's performance capabili­ties
are even n10re striking.
"Our prilnary goal \vas to ensure they
had state-of-rl1e-an equipment to serve the pro­grams
they already had in place and to provide
facilities that would dramatically enhance those
programs," Cole says. As a result, the high
school includes such progressive additions as
driving simulation rooms, desktop publishing
equipment in the writing center, video and
cable capabilities in each classroom via a
hookup with a local cable company, top-quality
theatre production facilities, e-mail and even a
greenhouse for fioraculture studies.
The first building includes 120 class­rooms,
the administrative area, a computerized
media center and science and home economics
labs. The business classrooms each have 20
computers and the drafting rooms are ready for
CADD capabilities. A special facility for mildly
mentally retarded students offers a separate,
covered entrance. The MMR classroom includes
a fully accessible kitchen and other facilities
designed to teach daily living skills to the men��tally
and physically challenged.
The second building sits on the open
side of the lJ and includes spons, performance
and dining facilities. These recreational areas
are accessible '\vithout entering the 111ain
schoolhouse. Included is a 285-seat theatre, the
drama depaIt1nent with dreSSing rooms, projec­tion
and sound booth equipment and large
Elba School Complex. The cost-effective solution for Elba was to develop an educational complex which resembles a smail college campus with upper and lower schools built on
a single site. The brick exterior used throughout the complex is in keeping with Elba's traditional architecture, but exposed structural steel was added to promote a sense of strength
and progress.
11 Volume VI. No. I
The landscape plan for Hoover High School
won an ASLA Merit Award in 1994 for Nimrod Long
and Associates.
band and choral rooms. The school has cleared
a site for a larger theatre which will offer joint
productions with the City of Hoover.
Basketball games are played in the
"pit' of the top-f1ight competition gym and
retractable seats increase the building'S
f1exibility. Also included is a second gym with
locker rooms for physical education classes
and a fully-equipped weight room. A two-level
dining hall that seats 660 students overlooks
the courtyard and open-air recreational basket­ball
courts.
"Sports are big at Hoover to say the
least," observes Cole. "So this school has it all.
The site includes two softball fields, five tennis
COUles, a football practice field, a soccer field,
an auxilialY field, a band and drill field, a foot­ball
field with outdoor track around it and sep­arate
fields for varsity and junior varsity base­ball.
They even have a 7,000-square-foot athlet­ic
storage bUilding."
The biggest challenge at Hoover
according to Cole \vas lnaintaining clarity.
"With a school this big we had to make sure
we had clear travel paths. \Ve needed spacious
relationships ~vith character and clear intent in
Hoover High School. An open courtyard between
the two buildings is detailed with sandstone walks,
zoysia lawns, decorative lighting and limestone
benches. An axis shaped with London pavers splits
the space with the western half containing an
amphitheatre and the eastern half, a dining plaza
and a basketball court.
DesignAlabama 12
design ... and I think that's just what we got.'
Clarity of expression outside the build­ing
GUlle under the purvie\v of Ninlfod Long
and Associates of Birnlinghanl. An integral part
of this project beginning with site selection,
NLA provided planning for circulation routes,
layout design, athletic facilities and planting
design to enhance the overall enviromnent.
Below. Hoover High School emerges at the end of a
boulevard of oak trees. Low hedges screen parked cars
from the visitor's entry experience.
Above. The gently sloped lawn amphitheatre and sand­stone
stage is shaded by ginkgo trees.
Tarrant Middle School. Above. Multi-colored brick
patterns and dormered residential roof forms soften the
scale where the school addresses the neighboring resi­dentia!
streets.
Right. The entry to the school is through a pavilion of
banded brick columns, bracketed timbers and a shingle
roof indicative of traditional neighborhood housing forms. It
is flanked by bus canopies with exposed concrete columns
and steel roof forms and a natural finish metal rool.
Tarrant
Middle School
Tarrant City, Alabama
Architects: Crauford Mc Williams Hatcher
Architects Inc., Birmingham, Alabama
Feelings ran strong in Tarrant City, a
cOlun1unity just north of Birminghan1
International Airpolt, concerning ib beloved
W1'A-built school. In use as a middle school, the
structure was inefficient, outdated and due to the
building's condition and its stucco-on-masonry
decorative elemenl" unfeasible for rehabilitation.
So Crawford McWilliams Hatcher
approached designing the successor structure as
an interpretation of the elements that give the sur­rounding
neighborhood its character. That area is
comprised of well-kept bungalows built during
the first two decades of this centUlY for employ­ees
of nearby steel and mining-related industries.
The new 42,OOO-square-foot classroom
building constructed adjacent to the original
structure it replaced, houses 25 classrooms, an
art studio, science laboratory, adlninistrative
offices and cafeteria and food service areas.
Plans also included renovation of a small class­room
annex built in 1982 for use as a media
center, home management laboratolY and other
special function classrooms.
According to Thomas Goodman, design
architect with CMH, "We felt strongly that the
school should relate directly to the sUlTounding
houses. A contextual non-institutional interpreta­tion
of the traditional neighborhood forms has
been realized through a playful use of bracketed
timbers on masonry columns, roof forms and
multi-colored brick patterns. The effect has been
a softening of scale and presence and a dramatic
blend of home and school," he adds.
The $3 million project was finished in
time for the 600 kids in grddes five through eight
to begin this school year in their new facility.
Central Park
Elementary
School
Birmingham, Alabama-
Arcbitects: Gresbam, Smitb and Pa/'tner:,
Birmingbam, Alabama
A new and improved Central Park
Elementary opened its doors to students in
grades K through five in April of 1994, replac,
ing the old school originally located next door.
The structure was planned around a central
111a11 or spine ·with shared spaces such as
adll1inistrativc, library, cafeteria and gyn1 on
one side and claSSr00111 wings on the other.
The 80,OOO,square,foot faCility is situat,
ed on an urban site \"'v1th hOUSing on t\VO sides
and a park on another. The classrooll1 \vings
are on the side adjacent to the houses and are
designed to relate to the scale of the neighbor­hood,
\vhile the C01111110I1 areas are on the side
adjacent to the city park and \\'ill have access
to that facility.
The classro()iu \\rings plug into the
street to create a schoolhouse for each grade
level. According to Project Architect Wayne
Carr, this arrangen1ent has several advantages.
"It keeps the age groups separ~1ted, reduces
travel distances and noise levels, improves con,
trol and security and gives each grade its O\V11
identifiable space··
This has translated into a much
S11100ther lTIorning routine confirms fifth
grade teacher, Joy Doering. noting that the
design layout makes it possible for the children
to come directly into their classrooms. To assist
\vith orientation each classro()In vv"ing has its
own color scheme and floor pattern.
The library, gym and cafeteria are with,
in easy reach of all classrooms. The plan
arrangen1ent also offers the option of public
access to the g;.71D and cafeteria during off
hours \\'ithout opening the entire school.
The exterior combines brick v/ith split,
faced concrete block and \vindov,/ openings to
create a colonnade sin1ilar to the interior. The
con1bination of these 111<1teriais is designed to
be interesting while also prOViding visual
lessons in color, texture. pattern, rhythm, scale
and proportion.
Citing convenience, effiCiency and spa­ciousness,
Doering is enthusiastic about the
new faCility. "And the aesthetic appeal is obvi,
ous-it is a beautiful school,.· she relates. The
students love it and regard the inner,city school
as a refuge she observes vv"hiIe pointing out,
"How they feel-if they're comfol1able­iI11pacts
their vv'illingness to learn."
Central Park Elementary School. Right. The spiral
staircase is an orientation "landmark·· for students as wei!
as the central circulation element Its visibility helps the
children feel comfortable in their new environment.
Abm!£!. Entry to school is designed to be distinctive and inviting to students and residents of the community
13 Volume VI. No. !
Central Park
Elementary School
Birmingham, Alabama
Above. "The exterior of the school was designed on a
scale to work well with the surrounding community,"
says Senior Design Principal, Vvilliam Jordan AlA,
Below. The library's color and distinctive forms rein-force
its position as a center of exploration and learning
Above."The use of patterns, colors, forms and shapes
make the school itself a learning experience, We designed
" the school to be 'readable' for its students," says architect, ! William Jordan.
~
~ ~
Classrooms are comfortable and efficient with a more subdued color scheme. The cafeteria continues the theme of colorful, chiid-friendly environments found through­out
the school.
OesignAlabama 14
~ecial1:Y UnitS
Baldwin County High School. The traditional facade uses formal entry areas with columns and gables to break up
the long length of walls and provide depth. To lower the perceived roof line, two roof slopes were used.
Baldwin County
HighSchool
Bay Minette, Alabama
Architects; David Vol/eel? and Associates
Mobile, Alabama
Wl1ile the administrative, classroom and library
areas are situated tmvard the front of the school,
noisier cOlnponents including the gym, band­rOOlTI
and cafeteria are in back Security is
enhanced by fewer entrances and windows. The
C0111pact design also ll1cans cheaper heating and
air-conditioning and easier ll1aintenance.
In Baldwin County where school officials Architects considered the students" needs
,vere ailning for stronger security Ineasures and
operational economy, architects introduced a
design concept that placed all the classrooms in
a compact grouping under one roof. Though
by creating an entrance at the student camlDons
area toward the rear. 111ere students enjoy an
open-air courtyard \vith seating areas and a
snack bar. Nearby are the gym and the cafeteria
interpreted in traditional vernacular, the move which is all glass and overlooks the commons.
broke away from school design traditions that "just because the classrooms are com-called
for sprawling corridors and plenty of win- pact doesn't mean that there are no \vindows,"
dows. It met with some resistance at first but has relates Skocdopole. "We've implemented \vin-proven
effective at four new Baldwin County dows whenever possible, like in the cafeteria,
high schools. library and throughout the corridors that touch
It is an unusual concept, according to outside walls."
Project Architect Finley Skocdopole, because In the corridors, architects chose indirect
design priorities traditionally focus on natural lighting for an informal, calming effect. "Instead
lighting and ventilation. \'V11en those priorities
take a lesser role in favor of security and mainte­nance
considerations, it allows for architectural
freedoms that aren't found in traditional school
deSigns.
111e Bay Minette school completed in
1991 is one of four high schools David Volken
and Associates has deSigned in Baldwin County.
The others are located in Daphne, Fairhope and
Foley. Although tvw schools feature traditional
facades and two contemporary exteriors, the
schools have similar floorplans and interior
design concepts. This arrangement offered the
county greater economy of scale and kept costs
for each school at around $6.5 million. 111e idea
has piqued the interest of school administrators
across the nation who frequently visit the
Baldwin County sites.
of lights down the center of the corridors, which
v,;ould accentuate the length, \ve placed lighting
behind the tops of the lockers which is reflected
off the walls and into the space. We also placed
lights over the recessed alcove entry area to
each classroom, which helps break up the hall­\
vays,"
Although the innovative compact design
had detractors at first. just one group remains
dissatisfied according to Skocdopole. "Only the
students who don't find it nearly as easy to skip
class anymore don't seem to like it," he says.
TIle 130,OOO-square-foot Baldwin County
High School stretches across an 87 -acre site.
Above. In step with the latest advances the library at Baldwin County is stocked with plenty of CD-ROM capability
Above right. The main entrance lobby at the Bay Minette school.
15 Volume VI, No. I
Auburn Early
Education
Center
Auburn Early Education Center. The classrooms are located in the center building puntuated by the three towers. The
administrative wing housing the reception area. principal's office, conference and nurse's office is on the right and the
motor skills wing is on the left
Auburn, Alabama
Architects: Barganier Davis Sims Architects
Associated, Montgomery, Alabama
The Auburn Early Education Center is
a mUltipurpose facility designed to capture the
spirit of a complete learning environment for
small children. The building completed in 1991
now serves 380 kindergarten students in 21
classrooms. In addition it houses special educa­tion
preschoolers. students and parents in a
year-round Even Start program and offers day­care
services for faculty and staff of the Auburn
City School System. This innovative concept has
stirred interest across the COUntry and is serving
as a model for other school systems.
The design goal, according to Barbara
regarding form, materials, colors and scale of
spaces has been made with small children in
mind," says Culpepper.
The building is organized into three
classroom pods or 'communities" with a central
common group activity space for each pod.
'Each community has six to eight classrooms, ,.
explains Principal Suzanne Freeman. 'They
have a C01111110n area just like a living r00111 in
your house for any group gatherings such as
guest speakers, choral readings, sing-a longs,
storytellers, speCial progralTIS and s111a11 group
work." The area also incudes wall space for
displaying artwork, shelves for hOUSing books,
a stove for cooking activities, cabinets and a
teacher workroom.
The colors blue. pink or green identify
the separate communities and are visible in each
Culpepper of Barganier Davis Sims was to create tower area and commons area to aid children in
a scale that would relate to small children and locating their classrooms.
provide architectural excitement as paIt of the A central gallery lined with colorful sam-learning
experience. 'Each design decision pies of the students' creativity stretches the
Plans for Leinkauf School, below, by Holmes &
Holmes of Mobile Alabama.
OesignAlabama 16
length of the filCility. proViding the nucleus that
connects the COlnnltmities, day-care center and
lTIotor skills \'ling.
Three towers, which Visually organize
the building internally and externally, mark
the classrooms, day-care center and adminis­trative
\ving. Lo\>/ eaves and shingled roo["
provide a scale in keeping with the adjacent
residential neighborhood.
Above. An impressive galiery runs the length of the school
with large picture windows on one side and a tackable wail
surtace to display student work on the other.
I
~~IJ
LeinkauJ School
LeillKauf School. Construction crews toiied through the summer heat on a tight schedule to complete reconstruction
of the original structure for fail occupancy.
Mobile, Alabama
Renovation Arcbitects: Holmes & Holmes.
Arcbitecis. Afobile. Alabama
In addition) plans for a nc\v building
to house a 111edia center and adnlinistration
offices plus a t\"\-'-o-story cJassr00111 annex \vere
deenlcd too costly \,\rhen originally subnlitted.
entil lightning struck in April 1993, Howeycr, a second more feasible proposal
Leinkauf School \vas one of the oldest school that took advantage of an adjacent property
buildings in continuous use as a school in the acquisition, was presented in May 1995. The
state. First occupied in 1903, the Mobile school 52 million plus project was awarded recently
is listed on the National Register of Historic to Lee Saad Construction of Mobile for occu-
Places and is the centerpiece of the Leinkauf pancy in fall 1996.
Historic District. Despite extensive fire-related The architects rehabilitated the existing
danlage to the original structure: the lVIobile historic structure by rebuilding its exterior to a
County Board of School Commissioners, recog- condition which, though not an exact restora-nizing
Leinkaufs outstanding tradition of educa- !ion, does recall its original appearance. "For
tiona 1 excellence and role in revitaliZing the city example, the earliest section of the building-center,
committed to rebuilding the school. that pC111ion vvith the cupola-vvas originally
In July 1994 a S3 million plus contract constructed of wood and had a slate roof. This
was signed \vith Coastal Builders of Mobile to is the portion that v,,-as most grievously dam-rehabilitate
the original structure with Holmes aged by the fire," explains Project Architect
& Holmes serving as architectural consultants. Nicholas Holmes Jf. "For structural and code-
This phase was completed in September allow- mandated reasons we have rebuilt it with steel
ing some of the older students among the 600 and covered it with a slate grey metal roof."
children enrolled in kindergarten through fjfth He notes that the intelior was brought up
grade at Leinkauf to begin the school year in to code with enclosed fire stairs. fll-e-rated coni-their
"new" old school. elors, an elevator for the handicapped and air con-ditioning.
Technological updates \,\Tere incOlVo­rated
in the plans to support TV and computer
specifications. With the addition of public toi­lets
and projection faCilities, the cafetoriu111 ,'vas
transformed to acconl1110date public events and
ensure that the school \'\,ill continue to serve
the C0I11111unit")t for many years.
In designing the ne\\' 20-dassroorTI
addition to be built across a side street, HolInes
& Holmes has attempted to create structures
subordinate to the older historic building that
will blend in with the one-story residences of
the surrounding area. The single-story design
incorporates exterior colonnaded circulation to
help diminish an "institutional appearance" in
the neighborhood.
This sensitivity to the neighborhood and
protection of the school's historic integrity is
born of mutual respect. Mark McDonald of the
Mobile Historic Development Commission
explains. Teinkauf School is not only an impor­tant
historic building, it embodies the whole
spirit of its surrounding historic neighborhood. It
is really inlpossible to iInagine this neighbor­hood
without Leinkaufs dramatic presence." 0
This vintage photo shows the original school and on the left a two-story
1911 addition
Aerial photo shows damage to the historic Leinkauf School The original build­ing
on the right was the most severly damaged
17 Volume VI. No.
Addressing
the Urban
Issue
Left. An expressed concrete frame structure orders syn­copated
window and wall patterns at the 19th Street North
end. Public access to ground-level performance spaces
occurs here. Classrooms occupy the second level, dormi­tories
the third.
Right. Completed in 1993, the first phase of Alabama
School of Fine Arts designed by Rennecker-Tichansky cre­ates
an urban wall for the northern edge of Birmingham's
downtown core, screening out elevated 1-20/59 just
beyond. Simple, tough materials reflect the urban location.
The double-gabled roof sheathed in white-painted metal
panels takes into account that the building is highly visi­ble
from nearby high-rise office buildings
DesignAlabama 18
Alabama School
of Fine
Photography: John O'Hagan
The new campusfor the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA)
occupies a city block on the northern edge of Birmingham's tradi-tional
downtown core, and it does so with considerable urban syn-ergy:
the school's presence adds dimension to the city, while the city
gives much in return.
Until 1993 when the new buildings
opened, the school was just one block to the
west but virtually invisible in a ramble of low,
make-do disconnected structures. The adminis­tration
of Mayor Richard Arrington, which has
aggressively and iInaginatively pursued urban
redevelopment on many fronts, traded the
school's existing site for the new one. One
block made all the difference, giving the new
faCility great visibility and a direct linkage to the
city's cultural district.
A.lier developing several schemes which
\'\lould have reused an existing I110tel bisecting
the site (none of which appealed to a major
donor who had made commitments to help fund
the new faCility), architects Rennecker-Tichansky
began from scratch. The result is an exceptional
piece of design that serves ASFA students and
visiting public well and defines an important
edge for the city. lind with the first phase built
for less than $53 per square foot, it is a triumph
of architectural ilnagination over constraints.
"A major goal was to integrate our
design into the urban fabric," explains Alan
Tichansky, AlA "We set out to reinforce the
urban structure, respond both to the city streets
and the elevated freeway (I-20/59) and manipu­late
a rather small building 000,000 square feet)
so it would have a strong sense of presence." To
do this, the core of the design became a three­story
bar, 60 feet wide and approximately 360
feet long, stretching along Eighth Avenue Nonh
from the sidewalk on 19th Street NOlth to the
one on 18th Street.
The building became, in effect, a city
wall with the elevated freeway beyond. FUlther,
Rennecker-Tichansky knew primary views of
the building would be from nearby high-rise
office buildings. "We took the plane of the roof
as another building elevation," notes Tichansky.
Its double-gable, executed in metal seam roof­ing
with \vhite baked-on finish, was chosen
because it would be more in scale with the
structure than a single one. The dual gable also
echoes the fact that there is a central corridor
below with dorm rooms on either side. (The
gabled roof also suggests dwelling to many,
appropriate for a dormitory, but Tichansky says
such symbolism was not intended.)
In addition to its emphasis on ans, the
program for ASFA differs greatly from other
middle and secondaly-level schools. It serves
grades seven through 12, and approximately
one-third of the student body lives on campus.
111e long bar layout works well. The first phase
The second floor houses classrooms,
like the dorms double-loaded along a central
corridor. This level also houses the music and
creative writing depanments. The most eco-nomical
way to structure the bUilding vvas a
row of poured-in-place concrete columns down
the middle of the bar. The architects played this
to full advantage, using the row of columns to
modulate what would have been a deadly
block-long corridor.
On the ground level. the linearity of the
plan is opened up to provide larger studio and
'~ major goal
was to integrate our design
into the urbanfabric,"
explains Alan Tichansky, AlA.
''We setout
to reinforce the urban structure,
respond both to the city streets
and the elevatedfreeway (1-20/59)
and manipulate
a rather smaO building
(100,000 square feet)
so it wauld have a strong
sense of presence. "
o
top floor has space for 96 students, and the common spaces. Flanking the core are 60-foot
division by sex can be changed based on wide single-stolY structures hOUSing dance stJ­demand.
Students are up and secure, and rooms dios, a recital hall and a small theatre. Ranged
on the city side have stunning skyline views. along the core is school administration, a public
lobby, school commons, an studios and other
functions. At the request of the client;
Rennecker-Tichansky clearly separated public
and student entries, the latter placed at the
18th Street end and the public entering off
19th Street.
In contrast to its first home, which had
all sorts of out-of-view pockets, the simple lay­out
of ASFA's new facility makes supervision of
students much easier. At the same time, the lay­out
essentially engages its urban setting. And
that old urban vinue, proximity, so often over­looked
today, serves ASFA very well. Half a
block away is the recently expanded
Birmingham Museum of Ans; a block a\vay
begins the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center;
Linn Park anchors the neighborhood, and stu­dents
use the Birmingham Public Library main
library on the far side of the park as their
school library.
While he attaches great value to this
urban connectedness (in contrast to an early
ASFA competition winner which proposed an
inward-looking cloister), Alan Tichansky also is
pleased at the move that gives ASFA a sense of
campus open space. "We cut the sloping site
down from the Eighth Avenue side to receive
the building," he points out. "This creates a
psychological break between the street and the
open area fronting the school, \vhich discour­ages
people from \valking into it from outside."
This space is a generous expanse of lawn, fac­ing
south, and gets much student use, as does
a dining terrace outside their C01111TIOns. A lo~;v
holly hedge defines the campus/city edge, but
loosely placed shade trees provide visual relief
from the strict ordering.
19 Volume VI, No. I
The public lobby has the same urban loft character as the rest of the building interior, with exposed concrete frame and split-face block walls. Students painted the 'rug' for the concrete floor.
A second phase for ASE;, completed
just in time for fall 1995 session, houses math
and science depanmems and dorm space for
16 additional students in a three-story, 16,000-
square-foot building added at the northwest
corner of the existing structure. A future phase
calls for a t\vo-story building to be erected over
school, repol1s the facility serves both students
and public as intended. Public spaces are hea v­iiy
used by outside groups. "\\7e have excellent
light in the art studios, and HOOfS for dancers
that bounce," she say/so "It may be surprising,
but we are pretty sure we have the only school
in the country specifically designed for fine arts
ground-level parking parallei to the existing at these education levels."
bar. This \vould house classro()1TIs and dOfl11S Casual obsen-'ations about ASh\. are
sin1ilar to the present la)iout. Present perfor- sornetimes not Hattering. It looks industrial and
ll1ance and COrnmon areas \'v'ould serve the pur- tough to n1any~ probably' based on the straight-pose.
Enrolln1ent for 1995 is 320 students. fonvard materials-exposed concrete, split-EKe
Frances Versrandig, director of the ASEA.. concrete block, alUll1inul11 \vinciows, ruetal pan-
Foundation) a non-profit support group for the eis, glass block, But outside, its context is not
clOll1CStic suburban but rather brutal urban with
an elevated freeway and a corrugated concrete
public parking deck the nearest neighbors. And
inside, it looks and feels like lott studio, a neu­tral
place open to the in1aginarion, And that it is.
Pbfh~D JIon"is is editor-at-large JbrSoutbern
Living and Southern Accents. He is Han. AL4,
Hon. ASIA Clnd C! lnember qf the board of
re8'eJl/S qfthe Atnerican Architecture
FOllndczliofZ.
John O-,}-Iagarl, photographer with Southern
Progress COJp. -:<; Oxmoor House hook divisioy(. is
also an architectllrai photographer,
A central row of poured-in-place concrete columns was the most economical way to
support the structure, and on the second and third floors they modulate corridors that
would otherwise have seemed deadly.
At the end of the building OPPOSite the public lobby, ASFA's student commons spills out to
a dining terrace and the lawn sunken below Eighth Avenue North. The long bar building
has fine views of downtown skyscrapers, especially from third level dorms.
OesignAlabama 20
ren's • I
• ear WI
• a air:
Designing
DistInctive
Childrens
Fashions
by Rob Barranco
Judy Lynn Children's Clothing Inc., a privately-owned company to be different was to design her own fabrics and buttons Working with
based in Montgomery, has made a name for itself nationally in the children's many resources in the United States and abroad, she began to learn
fashion design market Designing and producing high-end children's cloth- more about the importance and challenge of fabric design, as well as
ing for nearly 10 years, the business now employs 90 workers at two loca- how it affects the selling of her garments.
tions. The plant in Montgomery handles design, marketing and sewing As the business and her three young boys have grown, the
functions, and a plant in Tallassee provides sewing expertise. Montgomery-based designer saw the need for some assistance. She hired
During its history, the company has relied solely on the innovations an artist from Auburn University to translate her many fabric ideas into
and talents of owner/designer and mother of three young boys, Judy Lynn reality. "Each season we have been using more and more of our own fabric
Barranco. These innovations have kept Judy Lynn Children's Clothing designs," Barranco says "One of my goals is to one day use 100 percent
popular among children's clothing buyers across the country. The talented of my own fabric design for designing my dress collections," she added.
designer, a Montgomery resident for more than 20 years, graduated from Although Barranco likes to think Judy Lynn Children's Clothing is a
Lee High School and received her degree in fashion design from Florida trend setter, not a trend follower, she does attend design and color shows
State University. around the country several times a year to keep up with the latest ideas.
From the beginning, Barranco's motto for her company has been to Her current fall/holiday line is available in Parisian department
provide a well-designed, top-quality sewn garment with imported laces and stores, as well as in other major department stores across the nation. "Our
fresh new printed fabrics at a good price. During the early years she used fall/holiday line was very well received, but I always look forward to
only Swiss eyelets and other imported laces and fine batistes in traditional deSigning spring with brighter florals and pastels," Barranco says. The
silhouettes-floats, empires, drop-waist dresses for girls and button-on Judy Lynn Children's Clothing spring line will be available to consumers
knickers and shorts for boys-to build a clientele. beginning the first of the year.
As the company branched into new and bigger markets, a number Recently Barranco has achieved a personal goal to have her designs
of other designers began to try to "duplicate" the quality, look and materi- make an impact on the international scale. Five Judy Lynn designs have
als of the Judy Lynn garment Realizing this, Barranco added new and been published by the Vogue/Butterick pattern company with phenomenal
more complicated features to her lines. She designed features that other sales allover the world.
manufacturers would find difficult to copy such as the the "tulip sleeve," Although Barranco modestly attributes much of the success of her
"mustache-back" collar and collars woven with ribbon throughout the company to design, she says more important is allot the hard work,
material. "I feel these unique designs are what really helped catapult our support and dedication her family and staff have given her throughout
company into the top-selling children's dress vendor for Parisian Inc. and the years II
moved us to 'favored vendor' status with Dillard's department stores,"
Barranco says.
A few years ago Barranco decided to focus more on designing to bet-ter
distinguish her company from the rest. As she saw the trend turning from
traditional classic dresses to more playwear outiits, she knew the only way
Rob Barranco is general manager of Judy Lynn Children's Clothing.
21 Volume VI, No. I
Big Sprhlg Park East:
Refreshing Upgrade of Urban Oasis
By Tomie D. Dugas
Huntsville's roots were nourished by a spring that has
become a fitting centetpiece oj a renovated urban park. Big
Spring Park East pays homage to that water source discovered
in 1804 by brothers joseph and Isaac Criner, the first white set­tlers
in Madison County. john Hunt, the town's Jounder and
eventual namesake, settled at "Big Spring" about a year later.
A detail of the design development plan drafted by Smith Engineering.
The spring was a popular gathering place for recre­ation,
and its waters were used for baptisms during the
1800s. A dam and mill-powered water system dating from
the 1830s delivered water from the spring to the town
through a system of hollow-cored cedar logs. In 1856 the
city took control of the water works and in 1858 refurbished
the area with stone walls and installed a pump house.
The upper·level pavilion marks a shullles top location.
Limestone steps invite relaxing by the canal's edge.
OesignAlabama 22
Operational on the left side of the
steps is of the longest outside chair­rail
lift of its type in the South.
The lion statue lounges under a tree near the
spring basin.
"'" After World War II, when the spring was retired as
1 the city's water source, stone walls were extended and an
a
11: artificial water fountain installed. A modern swimming pool
~ and the lagoon were created on the west side of Church
~ Street. The park was again transformed in 1964 with the
brush of urban renewal.
The latest $2.2 million effort sought to better link the
space with the surrounding town and to make the famous
spring more user friendly. In reaching back to Huntsville's
roots, City Project Engineer Mark Seeley characterized the
intent of the recent renovation to evoke the spirit of small
town charm. "We want it to resemble Old Main Street
~ U.S.A.," he notes.
g
g LDR International of Bethesda, Maryland, was tapped
§j to develop a master plan study. The park conceptually was
~ divided into three spaces. The western ponion surrounds
~ the Big Spring Lagoon where the new Huntsville Museum
of Art facility is being built on the site of the relocated
Senior Center. The eastern pan, Big Spring Park East, is
subdivided into two spaces. The "urban canyon" is an area
of approXimately one acre enclosed on three sides by
bUildings, walls, natural rockface, 32 feet of stairway and
Big Spring. This space spills over into another softer, green­er
area, a little more than three acres in size, recently
bisected by Spragins Street.
The city contracted with Smith Engineering of Huntsville
to construct drawings for renovation of the existing park.
Jones and HerTin Architects of Huntsville along with LDR
were design sub-consultants. "111e design content," explains
Mike Donnelly, a landscape architect \vith Smith Engineering,
"involved vacating a city right-away that transversed the park
to open up green space and providing a new pedestrian
access point off Fountain Circle near City HalL"
The main access point into the park is from West Side
or Court House Square. The upper-level plaza overlooking
.3 the main staircase has been refurbished with iron railings I and a copper-topped pavilion designed by Jones and
~ Herrin. Ramps lead to a mid-level court where a renovated
':.:",'7:" ~ fountain is flanked by twin trellised arbors planted with
wisteria vines. The circular fountain, which had been dis-
Big Spring Park East as it existed before the 1994 renovation.
connected because it sprayed onlookers, has been recon­figured
into a weir-type waterfall where the sounds of rush­ing
water have replaced the nuisance spray. Decorative
brick work hand-placed in herringbone patterns in the
plaza and walkways are reminiscent of those found in
Twickenham, the old town center that was renamed
Huntsville in 1811. Steps lead down to ground level, and a
chair-rail lift has been installed for those needing mechani­cal
assistance.
As the focal point of the park, a semicircular basin
cupping the spring has been redefined with cut limestone
steps to the water's edge. The previous four-foot drop-off
was reduced to six inches via the steps where visitors gath­er
to relax and trail toes in the cool, clear water.
A canal lined with limestone copings leads off from
the source and harks back to the days when Cotton Row
stood where the paVilion is now located. Back then traded
cotton was sent to market in flat-bottomed boats on the
privately dug Indian Creek Canal to the Tennessee River.
Flowing from the northern terminus of Alabama's first
canal, completed in 1831, the current canal incorporates a
widened area flanked by l20-foot limestone steps for rest­ing
and reviewing itinerant duck parades. An adjacent
arched stone pedestrian bridge gives street access to the
grassy areas and provides a view of a small weir-style
waterfall upstream from the steps.
Recently reinstalled near the spring lies the little lion
sculpture, a sentimental favorite of generations of
Huntsville families. Dating back to circa 1900, the cream­colored
cast iron statue proVides the traditional photo­graphic
spot in the park.
To the right of the spring basin is the "big room," an
oval-like area planted with Yoshino cheny trees. Encircled by
a brick walkway, tl1e space was designed to accommodate a
tent for events such as the annual Panapoly Alts Festival.
Beyond the "big room" unrolls a large casual green
space suitable for a variety of activities. Acorn-like light fix­tures
illuminate the wide walkways that define this space,
and wooden benches are scattered at convenient intervals.
Maples, oaks, dogwoods and crabapples bolstered by other
plantings have been added to enhance existing vegetation.
Construction was begun in July 1994, and is now
complete. And what was once a gathering spot for the
horse-and-buggy crowd continues to provide a place of
peaceful repose among the shadows of progress that ring
Huntsville's fertile spring .•
A lithograph of the 1850's painting of Big Spring by William
Frye depicts the dam and mill, part of the water system
thought to be the oldest west of the Appalachians.
The contractor accomplished quite a feat, reconstructing the canal with its
continuous flow of spring water.
Beyond the pedestrian bridge, the canal narrows.
Twin trellises will be overspread with wisteria
by next summer.
To the right of the Big Spring is the "big room."
Waterfall Umusic" welcomes park visitors.
To the left of City Hall a new park access was
created.
23 Volume VI. No. I
Design_Makes A Difference
The reception area for
law offices on three floors of the
historic Massey Building benefits
from Moody/Sprague's skillful
manipulation of space.
A raised central ceiling
pushes the lIoor·to·lloor
height limit. Concealed
automatic fire doors allow
the area to lIow uninterrupted
from the elevators.
DesignAlabama 24
Custom·designed enclosures for secretarial
stations, clad in cherry, stop short of the
ceiling to let space lIow up and over.
The inward slope near the top also
keeps the feeling more open.
•
n the late 1980s the Birmingham law firm of Hare,
Wynn, Newell & Newton purchased the landmark
Massey Building with its notable terra cotta trim. Facing
19th Street North at Third Avenue North, the bunding
was seen as both an investment and a convenient home
for the firm. Moody/Sprague of Birmingham was com­missioned
to redesign the lobby and ground-floor space, as
well as three floors the firm would occupy.
Handsome as the late 1920s building is, the iloar-to­floor
height of 10 feet (compared to 12-14 feet standard today)
was a challenge. As were many other buildings from this peri­od,
the structural frame is poured-in-place concrete with floors
made of hollow terra cotta tile topped by cinders. This also
added constraints.
"We skimmed out the beams with gypsum board at eight
feet," explains Bob Moody. 'Then, for the public areas, we
designed raised ceilings with a furred-down perimeter which
gave us both architectural interest and a place to run ducts and
utilities without dropping the whole ceiling." The elevated cen­tral
sections make the ceilings seem higher than they are. It is a
proven technique: when a partion of a ceiling is lower, it makes
whatever is next to it seem higher.
Moody and his clients also are pleased with the way cus­tom-
designed secretarial space dividers work. These nine-by-
14-foot spaces along interior circulation have enclosures clad in
cherry wood that stop short of the ceiling. They also slope
inward at an angle near the top, so space flows up and over.
Walls to the ceiling would have been too confining.
Cherry, with a light finish, became the distinguishing
material throughout the Hare, Wynn offices. It is used on an
By Philip Morris
Photos by Timothy Hursley/The Arkansas Office
internal stair that connects the three floors, on doors and in
most offices. A beige marble from South America with an
attractive grain was used for floors in main pubiic areas.
Even though the same firm occupies all of three floors,
the City of Birmingham's fire code interpretation precluded an
open reception area for the middle (eighth) floor. Instead of
using glass or some other material, Moody/Sprague speCified
recessed fire doors that close automatically if there is a fire,
which allows the space to be fully open to the elevators.
For the eight law partners' offices, the designers did cus­tom
offices but with a selected palette of materials so all would
work with the larger design of the space. Each of these is a suite
with an attractively furnished reception/conference oHice and a
separate work space beyond.
The project was completed in 1992. The law firm is pleased
with its space and with the investment, since the building filled up
quickly after ground floor renovations were implemented.1IIB
Because there was only 10 feet between lIoors of the 1920s
office building, furred·down ceiling surrounds in this confer·
ence room conceal structural beams and utilities. Light fixtures
are custom interpretations of old·fashioned gasoliers.
IIIJAAWARDS
In May, the Alabama chapter of the
fnlernationallnterior Design Association
(IiDAJ held its inaugural PROGRESSION
Design Awards presentation in Birmingham
Of the 17 entries submitted to a distinguished
panel at the IIDA International Board Meeting in
Chicago, three projects were awarded Honor
Citations, two Merit Awards and one overall Best
of Competition. Honor Awards were based on
overall design excellence and Merit Awards were
presented for particular portions of projects
judged as noteworthy by the panel of jurors.
Jurors included Marilyn Farrow, FIIDA­International
president of IIDA; Terry L. Perry,
FIIDA-International vice president of communi­cations
and membership; Collin Burry, national
co-chair of special events and Janet Kreig, IIDA.
The winners are;
BEST OF COMPETITION:
The Garrison-Barrett Group Inc.
AM Alabama Headquarters, Birmingham
HONOR CIT A nONS:
Gresham, Smith and Partners
Ho!stein Valley Hospital,
Kingsport, Tenn.
The Garrison-Barrett Group (nc.
AM Alabama Headquarters,
Birmingham
Hatcher iJesign Associates
Chiidren's Hospital, Birmingham
AWARDS OF MERIT
For Use of Color & Design of Corridors
Goss & Associates
Pediatric Wing, St Vincent's Hospital,
Birmingham
For Reception Area & Workstation
Design
The Garrison-Barrett Group, Inc.
Office Space for the Garrison-Barrett
Group Inc., Birmingham
Holstein Valley Hospital, Kingsport, Tenn.
AM Alabama Headquarters, Birmingham
Children's Hospital, Birmingham
Holstein Valley Hospital, Kingsport, Tenn.
IJA STUDENTS WIN DESIGN COMPETITION
Three interior design majors from the University of Alabama's
College of Human Environmental Sciences recently received cash awards
for their entries in the 1995 Student Design Competition co-sponsored by
Alabama Power Company and the Alabama chapter of IIDA. The 1995 competi­tion
focused on the interior design of an Environmental Design Coaiition
Center-a place to learn more about threats to both natural and man-made
environments. The site of this adaptive-use design project was the historic
Rosedale Pump Station in Birmingham, Ala. Guest jurors for the design compe­tition
were IIDA members Jerri Jordan, Anne Marie Weeks and John Beason.
A ,W. A D s OJ ,I Ii• •
ASII.'I SPECIALTY AWARD
Betty Warnock of Betty Warnock­Interiors
in Birmingham recently received the
American Society of Interior Designers
(ASID) Specialty Award for the restoration of
the Woodward Estate, which is the home of
the President of the University of Alabama at
Birmingham. Warnock is an allied member of
ASID and has been in business for four years.
AlA DESIGN AWARDS
The Alabama Council of the
American Institute of Architects present­ed
its 1995 Design Awards in August. The
jury, comprised of five architects from
Tennessee, represented government, private
practice and academia. Honor Awards were
bestowed for exemplary design exceeding the
criteria set by the jury. The Award of Merit was
presented for projects meeting the jury's
requirements for design exceiience. The winners
are shown on the following page.
Holstein Valley Hospital, Kingsport, Tenn.
The University of Alabama winners are; $500 first piace-Angela Johnson Floor Plans and Plan Oblique from the Student Design Comp.tition:
$300 second place--i(im Tesney $200 third place-Annette Crewz. Firs! Plac. Winn.r Angela Johnsun
Details+of Interest
Details of Interest
is a regular
feature of
DesignAlabama
and highlights
a wide variety
of events and
resources.
In this issue,
a retrospective
of 1995
is presented.
25 Volume VI, No.1
HONOR AWARDS:
Alabama Power Company, Clanton District Office
and Visitors Center, Clanton Cra'l'liord McvVilliarns
Hatcher Architecis inc., Birmingham
Retirement Systems of Alabama [RSA) Activity
Center and Plaza, Montgomery William E. Wa!!ace. A!A,
Goodwyn, Mi!is and Cawood Inc., Montgomery
Children's Hospital of Alabama Parking Deck,
Birmingham Giattina Fisher AycockArchiiecis Inc.,
8irmingrram
AWARDS OF MERiT:
Hooller City Schools Board of Education's Trace
Crossings School and Hoover High School,
Birmingham Giattina Fisr,er Aycock Architects Ine.,
Birmingham
Hooller City Schools Board of Education's Trace
Crossings School and Hoover High School,
Birmingham Gi2ttina Fisher .Aycock Archilecis !nc.,
Birmingham
COURTLAND SQUARE
CLARIFICATION
in the iast issue of DesignAlabama on
page 12, a gazebo and bandstand were featured
in photos of downtown Courtland. Although
Greiner, Var8 & Partners provided the town
square renovation plans, these structures were
designed by Jones & Herrin Architecture/Interior
Design of Huntsvl!le.
OesignAlabama 26
~
NATIONAL cmmolil AWARD
KPS Group Inc, was honored with an
award for design excellence for the firm's U.S.
Courthouse project in Shreveport, La, The
AlA and the American Correctional ASSOCiation
~ recognized the courthouse as among the most
~
E. up-to-date and innovative in the specialized
1l justice facility field, it received one of only five I u citations given,
g'" The awards jury stated, "This courthouse
§ is an example of many things being done c:
well Despite the relatively strict funding, this
courthouse is evidence that good design can
result from meeting challenges of restrictions,
not necessarliy the absence of constraints"
Rick Davidson, AlA, was principal-in-charge
and Richard Allen, AlA, was KPS project
manager for the 245,OOO-square-ioot facility,
The contractor was Brasfield & Gorrie General
Contractors Inc, Construction costs were $24
million, The General Services Administration
Region VII is the owner.
AlGA NEWS
The Alabama chapter of the American
institute of Ilraphic Arts (AlGA), an organi­zation
of graphic designers and other related
professionals, has been hosting a series of inter­active
lunches focusing on different aspects of
the new technology in design, Topics for the
past year touched on video editing, digital pho­tography
and photo CDs, multi-media and inter­active
design among others delivered by select­ed
area speakers, The informal iuncheons are
held one Thursday a month from 1130 a,m. to
1245 p,m, at the Blue & White Cale', 2837
Culver Rd, in Mountain Brook. There is no
charge to sit in, Barry Graham, president of
AlGA, may be contacted for information on the
luncheon series which wiil resume in January or
other AlGA events at 205-991-4049.
AIGNBirmingham also holds quarterly
meetings In October the speaker was 0, J. Stout,
art director of Texas Monthlymagazine and in
November McRay Magleby, the renown creative
director at Brigham Young Universirj, In
December a Christmas party is planned for the
15th at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham
Activities will begin at 530 pm and at 7 p,m,
"White Christmas" will be shown, The cost is $4,
and the event is open to anyone,
The AlGA hosts the Best of Birmingham
competition on a bi-yearly basis. The next BOB
is slated for summer 1996, For details on mem­bership
information contact Laurie Borland at
205-870-0044
BIRMINGHAM HISTORICAl.
SOCIETY PRESERVATION
AWARDS
In May the Binningham Historical
Society announced its 1995 Awards in celebration of
National Historic Preservation Week, Tne celebration
theme, "Real People, Real Places, Real
History," honored individuals who have made a dif­ference
in preserving our heritage, The winners are:
Independent Presbyterian Church-An
authentic restoration of the Great Hal! and other
sections of the church destroyed by a fire in 1992
was undertaken along with complementary renova­tions
to the education wing of this Highland Avenue
landmark, Especiaily notable is the exterior
stonework executed to complement the originaL
Client Independent Presbyterian Chure,1f
Architect: KPS Group. Hugh Thornton, project Jeader
Contractor: Brasfield Gorrie, Jim Gorrie, project manager
Stonework: Dwayne Brown, brownstone
Robinson House-Oasis-This 1897 late­Victorian
residence at 1900 14th Ave, South has
been restored and is now the home of Oasis Clinic,
A portion of the wrap-around porch previously
enclosed with paneling has been restored and
columns discovered in the basement reinstalled,
Siding was removed and areas of rotted weather­board
replaced, Contrasting exterior colors that
emphasize architectural trim were drawn from a
book on 19th-century house paint
Client: Anna B. LaRussa, Benny LaRussa
McAdory Block, Bessemer-As part of
the Bessemer Main Street Program directed by
Linda Nelson, the 1904-vintage McAdory Block
on Third Avenue North in downtown has been
restored by owner Ron Busenlehner. A photo­graph
from the 1940s showed how the building
looked as the E. L, Huey Furniture Co, before
modernization. Gibson Sheet Metal created a cor­nice
replacement for the facade restoration recom­mended
by the Alabama Main Street Program run
by the Alabama Historical Commission in
Montgomery.
C!fen!: Ron Susan/ehner
Support: Linda Nelson, Bessemer Main
Street Program; Alta Hodgson, director, and David
Wallace, design specialist,
Alabama Historical Commission
Contractors: Jim Gibson, Gibson Sheet
Metal; John Baker, Baker Service Co.
Studio Arts Building-This exceptional
infill structure restores the integrity of Five
Points South's ensemble of historic and newer
structures, Designed by Craig Rogers of
DesignForm, it repeats the curve and the white­glazed
masonry of the original 1911 building,
but the introduction of face brick in horizontal
bands ties the facade to its Five Points context.
Mouldings that produce shadow lines and hand­somely
proportioned windows give this small
building great presence,
Developers: Bill Ireland, Tom Hinton
Partners: City of Birmingham
Architect: DesignForm Inc., Craig Rogers, AlA
Contractor: Tayfor & Miree,
Joe Crowson, project manager
Powell Elementary School-Erected in
1887, the school stili serves Birmingham stu­dents,
Principal Eva Jones has led efforts to
keep the building in good condition, Though
many features still need attention, the restoration
of decorative tinwork along the gables and para­pets
of this impressive Gothic-style structure
serves both to protect masonrj walls from the
elements and reintroduce architecturai detail
once!ost.
Client: Birmingham Schoo! System, Clel/eland
Hammonds, supen/Hendent; Eva Jones, principal;
Terry Hallmark, cOrJstf!Jciion supef'llsor
Contractor: Mike McNabb, Vuican Roofing
and Sheet Meta!
NAME CHANGE
The School of Architecture at Auburn
University has been renamed the College of
Architecture, Design and Construction to
reflect the range of degree programs and the
composition of disciplines therein, Similarly, the
Department of Architecture has become the
School 01 Architecture, an equal and parallel
academic unit with the Department of Industrial
Design and the Department of Building Science.
Within the new School of Architecture are pro­grams
in architecture, landscape architecture,
interior design and community planning.
DESIGN CAMP
Auburn School of Architecture host­ed
a Design Camp for high school students at
the Birmingham Center for Architecture and
Urban Studies Aug. 9-12. Students spent three
days exploring the downtcwn, building scale
models of Linn Park and designing an observa­tion
tower/kiosk for the annual City Stages event
in Linn Park.
PLANNING LEGISLATION
CHALLENGES: THE TAKINGS
UPDATE
According to Connie Cooper, legislative
chair of the Alabama Planning Association
(APA), sound and responsible planning initiatives
in Alabama dodged a potentially fatal bullet during
the recent iegisiative session. Earlier this year, tak­ings
legislation was introduced aimed at requiring
governmental jurisdictions to compensate proper­'!;
owners for financial iosses due to regulations
that are viewed as unfairly restricting the use of the
land (zoning regulations, subdivision regulations,
building codes, environmental regulations, etc.).
At the end of the session, the bill had passed the
House without difficulty but was not reported out
of committee in the Senate, thus effectiveiy dying
in the Senate.
Throughout the process, strong efforts
were being made to defeat the passage of the biil
by educating the legislators as to the substantial
negative impacts such legislation would have.
Argurnents were put forward that the legislation
would hurt not only the natural environment in
Alabama, but the overall quali'!; of life the state
has enjoyed due to land-use regulations that pro­tect
Alabamians' health, safe'!; and general welfare.
The coalition of the Association of Coun'!;
Commissions, the Alabama Planning Association
and a host of environmental and citizen groups
were able to successfu!ly assist in delaying pas­sage
of the takings legislation during this legisla-approximately
150 objects including architectural
drawings, landscape designs, sculpture, furniture,
historic photographs and rnanuscript materials.
TUSKEGEE ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS:
DREAM HOUSE EXHIBIT
For the exhibit Dream House, third-year
students from the Department of
Architecture at Tuskegee University were
asked to create designs of their ultimate dream
house. The displays provide a complete sense of
each house both inside and out The exhibit on
view through Nov. 26 was created to comple­ment
'The Most Distinguished Private Place
Creating the Biltmore Estate exhibit and the
symposium which was held in October.
MONTGOMERY ARCHITECTURE EXHIBIT
Another related link to the Biltrnore exhibit
is this photographic showing of some of
Montgomery's most distinctive homes by profes­sional
photographer Russ Baxley. The featured
homes were selected by a panel of professionals
and scholars to showcase Montgomer/s archi­tectural
traditions. The exhibit highlighting dis­tinctive
architectural s'!;les from the antebellum
period through the present may be viewed in the
ARTWORKS corridor through Nov. 26.
ARCHITECT -DESIGNED OBJECTS
This exhibition housed in the upstairs
gallery through Nov. 26 focuses on objects
designed by some of today's top architects. The
collection features pieces by internationally
known craftsmen Gehry, Franzolini and Pensi,
who are affiliated with Knoli Studio, a division of
the Knoll Group Viewers will have the opportu­nity
to study current trends of the design world.
This is a unique exhibition for the rnuseurn
because the objects included are for sale
through the Museum Shop.
MADE iN ALABAMA: A STATE LEGACY
After almost a decade of painstaking
research, Alabama's proud artistic heritage is
revealed in this exhibition of more than 145 var­ied
objects. The staff of the Birmingharn
Museum and dozens of independent scholars
docurnented the production of decorative arts in
tive session. However, it is certain thatthis legisla- the state, beginning with its first settlement in
tion will be reintroduced when the legislature
reconvenes in February 1996. For additional infor­rnation,
please contact APA President Faye
DiMassimo (334-821-1263) or Connie Cooper
(205-967-6700)
MMFA FEATURES
DESIGN-RELATED EXHIBITS
THE MOST DISTINGUISHED PRIVATE
PLACE: CREATING THE BILTMORE ESTATE
This exhibit which runs through Nov. 26
explores the designing of the estate, its con­struction,
the coiiaboration among the creators
and the participation of the client. On display are
the 18th century, through the Reconstruction
period to the early 20th century artist's revival.
The exhibition includes Alabama-made ceram­ics,
furniture, metals, paintings, photographs
and textiles from both private homes and public
institutions. A definitive illustrated catalogue,
published by the Birrningham lvIuseum, accom­panies
the exhibit on view at IvIMFA from Dec.
10, 1995, through Jan. 28, 1996. This is the last
chance to review the exhibit which opened origi­nally
in Birrningham and has been shown in this
srnalier travelling version in Huntsville and
Mobile recently.
COMMUNITY APPEARANCE SEMINAR
Practical and successful strategies that small communities can use to improve the appearance
of their downtowns, rnajor highway corridors, neighborhoods and gateways, is the focus of a one-day
seminar on Nov. 14 at the new Florence Conference Center.
Led by Tony Costello, a high-energy trainer from Ball State Universi'!; in Muncie, Ind., the seminar
will show what works and what doesn't. The program addresses techniques to involve the public and gain
their support and also implementation tools that work best in smalier cities. Costello has been the project
director for rnore than 60 cornmuni'!;-based small ci'!; urban design projects, some of them award winners.
The seminar is cosponsored by 10 planning, comrnuni'!; development and communi'!; improve­ment
organizations in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. The prograrn will be especially beneficial to
rnernbers of municipal planning staffs, planning commissions, ci'!; councils, chambers of cornmerce,
downtown development organizations and Citizens who are looking for practical and proven ways to
improve the appearance of their communities.
For more information call the Alabama Planning Institute at the University of North
Alabama in Florence, 205-760-4862 or 1-800-825-5862.
WINTER SYMPOSIUM ON THE CITY
The Auburn University School of Architecture and its Center for Architecture and
Urban Studies will sponsor the second annual Symposium on the City scheduled for Feb. 22, 23
and 24, 1996, in Birmingham The topic for this year's symposium is "Core-Fringe-Hinterland:
Relationships and Responses to Growth and Change in the Metropolitan Region."
The symposiurn will include lectures, presentations and panel discussions on historical per­spectives
of urbanization, the media and its influence on public perceptions of growth and change
issues. It will involve specific case studies of developrnent and revitalization initiatives in the tradi­tional
city core, the ci'!; fringe or "middle landscape," and the rural hinterland of the ci'!; experiencing
grov,1h pressures.
The purpose of the symposium is to raise the level of understanding of growth and change
issues and the interrelationships, both implicit and explicit, that exist among the three geographic
areas under consideration.
Invited guests from the design fields will include a varie,!; of nationally known experts in plan­ning,
urban design, architecture, landscape architecture and urban history. The media panel will
include several regionally and nationally known journalists, writers and critics.
The symposium will be geared to both design professionals and the lay public. Participation in
the syrnposiurn will count toward required continuing education credits for design professionals.
Events will include more informal activities aside from the scheduled program so that those
attending can visit with the presenters and other invited guests.
More specific information wili be available in the corning weeks. Those interested in attending
the symposium should contact the Auburn Universi'!; School of Architecture office at the address
below; specifics will be mailed to those requesting further information; School of Architecture, 104
Dudley Hall. Auburn, AL 36849; Re Symposiurn on the City-1996; Phone; 334-844-4516.
AUBURN
UNIVERSITY
INDUSTRIAL
DESIGN IND 1945 - 1995
AU INDUSTRIAL DESIGN 50 YEARS STRONG
The Department of Industrial Design at Auburn University observed its 50th anniver­sary
this fall. To commernorate the occasion a celebration was held on campus Nov. 2-3. As center­piece
of the celebration, the 15th annual Design Interaction was hosted by the AU student chapter
of the IDSA for industry professionals and AU industrial design alumni. Featured speakers included
Ken Foran, vice president of research and development at Rubbermaid Office Products Division, Jan
Lorenc, president of Lorenc Design in Atlanta and RitaSue Siegel, president of RitaSue Siegel
Resources of New York.
Four exhibits are offered in conjunction with the observance. Current student design work is
displayed in Fay Union Galiery, through Nov. 11. Industrial design iacul'!; work is on view in Dudley
Hall Galiery, through Nov. 11. Student photography will be shown at Behind the Glass Cafe in
Auburn, through Nov. 5. Work by AU industrial design alumni will be showcased in Smith Hall
through Nov. 11. Tentative plans call for this body of work to be reconfigured as a traveling exhibit to
promote the discipline and study of industrial deSign throughout the region.
For further iniormat'ron contact the AU Department of Industrial Design at 334-844-2364.
27 Volume VI, No. I
Desi nAlabama
Volume VI, Issue I
PUBLIC DESIGN AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
DESIGN ALABAMA IS WORKING TO CREATE AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION FOR THE DESIGN DISCIPLINES
THAT INFLUENCE OUR ENVIRONMENT. WE BELIEVE THAT THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH OF
THIS STATE CAN BE ENHANCED THROUGH ATTENTION TO AND INVESTMENT IN GOOD DESIGN.
Architecture
Architects practice the art
and science of creating,
preserving and
remodeling buildings.
Ideally they work to
articulate an image of the
client who owns the
building, what happens
there and what it means to
the community. Once the
aesthetic and functional
aspects of a design are
conceived, engineers and
other professionals are
consulted to make the
building work according
to the laws of physics,
safety and access codes,
and necessities such as
electricity and plumbing.
Architects are required to
have a working knowledge
of all these building
elements.
Landscape
Architecture
Landscape architects
specialize in exterior
environments. Theyapply
creative and technical
skills to overall site plans,
landscape grading and
drainage, irrigation,
planting and construction
details. Their task is to
preserve and enhance the
environment and define
space between and around
buildings, including
entrances and functional
or decorative areas.
Planning streetscapes,
gardens, parks or
gateways are also
examples of jobs for the
landscape architect.
Membership Information
Interior Design Urban Design
Interior designers Urban designers and
organize spaces inside planners are concerned
buildings, making them with the functional and
functional and pleasing visual relationships
to the senses. The belween components of
designer's presentation the physical environment
to the client usually in the broadest sense.
includes floor plans, Among other things, their
color charts, photo- work results in unified
graphs of furnishi , plans aOO prowsals fQr
samples of materia s for transportation systems.
upholste/}" drapefl industrial parks,
and wall coverings and
shJp.ing malls. They,
fOrm la e plans and
concern of the deS/prier policies to
from the first presentation meet the social, econ ic
to the installation of the and phy;ical needs of
last accesso/}'. communities, and they
develop the strategies to
make these plans work.
This involves identifying
urban problems and
opportunities, analyzing
and implementing options
and evaluating results.
Membership in DesignAlabama demonslrales your support tor slatewide design awareness in building quality ot
lite in your community and in Alabama. You will be kepi up to date on progressive developmenllaking place
Ihroughout the slate. have opportunilies 10 learn more about the deSign disciplines, and partiCipate in Ihe
exploration ot community design issues. All categories include subscription 10 Ihe journal. an annual report on
DeslgnAlabama aclivity and invilations to the annual meeling and special evenls.
COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW AND RETURN IT WITH YOUR CHECK. Design Alabama, Inc .. 204 North 20th
Sireel. Birmingham. Alabama 35203
The following information Is for the membership category indicated:
Individual $15 __
Student $1 0 __ (Please attach a xerox copy of your student 101
Corporate $50-499 __
Sponsor $500·$5,000 __
Organizational __ This iocludes fIOOilrofit, civic, educational and professional groups and associations. There is no lee.
OroaniZations interested in joining should contact Design Alabama. This category also includes art and design schools 01 colleges and universities.
Name/Organization ____________ _
Address _______________ _
City __________ State ___ Zlp __ _
Phone Number L-J __________ _
Occupation ____________ _
Contact Person: Corpofllfe Members, Sponsors, OrganlzatiollS and Schools.
Name Phone L-J, ______ _
.~:~
1IIII(:;·,i··:~V•
. ' ..
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Industrial Design
Industrial designers are
responsible for function
and aesthetics in the
manufactured products
people use eve/}' day.
Toothbrushes, toasters,
cars, computer terminals
and telephones are
examples of items
industrial designers
make usable and desirable
" uman beings. Colors,
es, smells and
soun are some of the
elements they consider,
anical or electrical
components of a product
must work properly,
efficiently and safely.
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Z III
Graphic DeSign
,
Graphic designers create
effective visual
communications.
"Graphic" refers
to the art that
communicates and
'design" to the aesthetic
arrangement of the
elements, including type,
illustration and/or
message in relation to a
targeted audience.
Through concept and
art direction, designers
produce an appropriate
advertisement, TV
commercial, magazine
format, brochure or any
number of other visual
communication projects.
Fashion Design
I
Fashion designers are
style arbiters of dress who
interpret the mood of a
generation, intuit popular
taste and understand
merchandising and
business principles. They
attempt to resolve the
contradiction belween
art and indust/}, in order
to construct a collection
of clothing and
acoessories with a unique
sense of style and taste,
enabling people to create
a personal statement
about themselves in the
way they dress.