Appalachian’s IDEXlab develops master plan for city parks in Elizabethton, Tennessee

Posted Feb. 20, 2018 at 11:10 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Three faculty members in Appalachian State University’s Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, which is housed in the university’s College of Fine and Applied Arts, were awarded $10,000 in funding from the city of Elizabethton, Tennessee, to develop a conceptual master plan proposal for the city’s Covered Bridge and Edwards Island parks.

These faculty members are Chelsea Helms, a lecturer in the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment; Jason Miller, an associate professor in and program coordinator for the department; and Jamie Russell, an associate professor in the department.

Last fall, the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment’s Integrative Design Experience Laboratory (IDEXlab) worked to develop a feasibility study and two separate, conceptual master plan schemes for improvements to the parks.

According to Helms, the feasibility study for the project included documenting the existing historic context for each site and district; estimating energy use based on building size, age and classification; estimating renewable energy resources; identifying project constraints; evaluating project opportunities; and cataloging the city’s desired program.

She said the two conceptual master plans designed by the IDEXlab coordinated facility master plans with local planning initiatives and goals, and included design guidelines for the development of facilities.

In December 2017, the IDEXlab presented the proposal to the city of Elizabethton for review. The city then provided feedback and input based on the proposal that will determine a path to a schematic design master plan. Helms said this schematic design will include a revised and consolidated master plan for the parks to meet the program driven by the city of Elizabethton’s identified program.

Several undergraduate students majoring in building sciences at Appalachian and one Appalachian alumna — Hazel Chang ’15 ’17, who graduated in December 2017 with a Master of Science in technology — assisted with the project. Chang is originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Biddeford, Maine.

The undergraduates are Madison Blair, of East Bend; Weston Byerly, of Lexington; Anna Cashion, of Cary; Jackson Laing, of Charlotte; Brianna Lance, of Huntersville; Christian Najafi, of Hendersonville; Luke Nayes, of Bloomer, Wisconsin; Rowan Parris, of Mooresville; Molly Ravenscraft, of Raleigh; Danielle Scaccia, of Fayetteville; Timothy Scheffer, of Corolla; Nathan Smith, of Winston-Salem; Gabe Talavera, of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Nicholas Veit, of Wake Forest; and Ashley Winecoff, of Huntersville.

IDEXlab presents to the City of Elizabethton Tennessee

Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment

Students in the IDEXlab (Integrative Design Experience Laboratory), have been working on a sponsored studio project with the city of Elizabethton’s Parks and Recreation Board, to develop a conceptual master plan proposal for Elizabethton’s Historic Covered Bridge Park and Edward’s Island Park.

Read about the project

About the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment

One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment at Appalachian State University features an integrated array of programs spanning the fields of sustainable design and technology. Its mission is to foster a strong and vibrant culture of inquiry, discovery and innovation that integrates theory with application, problem seeking with problem-solving, local issues with global perspectives and technological progress with environmental stewardship. It offers bachelor’s degrees in sustainable technology and building science, and a master’s degree in technology. Learn more at https://stbe.appstate.edu.

About the College of Fine and Applied Arts

Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.