Framework Plan for a River Commons and Institute

PrizeOfficial Selection in Build (architecture)
CompanyUniversity of Arkansas Community Design Center
ArtistStephen Luoni
CategoryProfessional
Design TeamClaude M. Terral III, Kacper Lastowiecki, Isabelle Troutman, Kayla Ho, Lauren Lamker, Victor Hugo Cardozo Hernandez, Shail Patel, Dr. Jami J. Lockhart, and W. Bellamy, C. Ewin, M. Fallows, E. Fordyce, M. Imber, C. Kennerly, C. Schulke, D. Tabor, T. Hash
ClientWatershed Conservation Resource Center
CreditUniversity of Arkansas Community Design Center

The nonprofit Watershed Conservation Resource Center is restoring a 98-acre riparian wetland landscape near downtown Fayetteville as a River Commons and Institute. The Framework Plan combines watershed restoration with architecture and urban design to house a river education center, a visitor interpretive center, walking trails, passive recreation facilities including bird watching and canoeing, and outdoor heritage exhibitions. The Plan operates at the intersection of anthropology, ecology, and design in developing a lasting and robust riverine knowledge fund across space and time.

Bio
The University of Arkansas Community Design Center is an outreach center of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, and one of a few university-based teaching offices in the United States dedicated to delivering urban design work. Originated in 1995, the center advances creative development in Arkansas through design, research, and education solutions. Nationally recognized in public-interest design, the center has its own downtown facilities and 5-6 professional design/planning staff, some who also teach.