A new crop of design/buildLAB Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design students are back for Phase II construction on the Masonic Amphitheatre grounds. This spring the students’ project is the reconstruction of the Smith Creek pedestrian bridge. Reconstructing the bridge was in the original plans for the Amphitheatre construction for last May and June but time and funding ran out and plans were made to make the reconstruction of the bridge the project for 2013’s third year architecture students.
On Friday, May 3, eight students from the 17-member design/buildLAB-team and their instructors, Keith and Marie Zawistowski presented the pedestrian bridge designs in a public meeting. Approximately 40 members of the community met on the Amphitheatre stage to hear the presentation and the audience was favorably impressed. On May 9, three design/buildLAB student representatives met with the Board of Zoning Appeals and the BZA approved the application for completion of the bridge and ramp.
The bridge will be constructed with steel, white oak, cables and metal panels – many of the same materials that were used in the Amphitheatre construction. The Clifton Forge Industrial Development Authority provided the students with a grant of $7500 to construct the bridge and the students have raised additional funding.
The pedestrian bridge will also accommodate wheel chairs and is five feet wide in most areas with a “hub” area that is eight feet wide. The Smith Creek pedestrian bridge will connect the Masonic Amphitheatre with historic Clifton Forge. Ninety five percent of the bridge will be prefabricated in Blacksburg and transported to the Clifton Forge site for assembly. The students will also landscape the area around the bridge.
When asked to describe the proposed bridge design, design/buildLAB student, Stephanie Mahoney replied, “The design/buildLAB at Virginia Tech is helping Clifton Forge bridge the gap between the historic downtown and Church Street. The design of the bridge echoes elements of the Masonic Amphitheatre and also shares a similar material palette. Reclaimed white oak from the former warehouse on the site, along with new steel beams and a custom designed railing are the main components of the design. Integrated within the railing system are LED light fixtures to guide visitors along the bridge at night. Supporting the bridge is a forest of steel columns, with walking paths between the columns that can be explored by park visitors.
Transparency of design was an integral part of the overall concept, and the bridge maintains a thin profile, similar to that of the existing bridge. Both the access ramp and bridge are slightly sloped to accommodate changes in the ground elevation. The remainder of the site is divided into multiple landscaped zones, including a grassy lawn adjacent to the Amphitheatre, as well as a line of tall grasses that will border the creek bed. A garden of labyrinth-like paths will greets you as you descend the stairs and make your way towards the Amphitheatre along the creek. The Smith Creek Pedestrian Bridge will be a vital part of Clifton Forge’s renaissance”.
Third year architect student, Michael Kretz commented that the bridge will “have a tremendous impact on the re-growth of Clifton Forge as a small town and will serve as a much needed connection between the residential and the commercial parts of town”.
Construction on the bridge has begun in Blacksburg and student Jen Leeds describes her hands-on experience in designing and building the bridge by saying, “It has definitely helped me learn how things actually are assembled and built, as well as the fact that architecture isn’t all about design. It includes interaction with people, scheduling, budgeting, and other things we don’t learn in class. I think it is an important experience to have as a student because it is the real world”.
The Masonic Amphitheatre was voted 2012 Best Building by American-Architects and began its second season of entertainment on March 31.
May events include a TNT Trash n’ Treasure Flea Market on May 18, the second Open Mic OnStage Coffee House event on May 24 and a concert by Grand Ole Opry stars, the Farm Hands Bluegrass Quartet on May 25. The May 25th event is sponsored by Appalfolks of America, Central Big Rock Church and the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation.
On Saturday, May 18 the second TNT (Trash and Treasure) Flea Market, will take place on the Amphitheatre grounds from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Booth spaces are still available by calling 540 862 5655 or emailing masonictheatre@yahoo.com. Booth space rental fee proceeds will go to SAVE THE MASONIC.
Vendors will be selling plants, yard art, furniture, pet beds, Civil War era swords, antique items, rugs, tools and much, much more. Organizers for the TNT Flea Market encourage bringing a can or box of food for the Food Pantry and dropping it off at the Masonic Theatre booth while enjoying a morning hunting for treasures and sampling the concessions. For more information on the Masonic Amphitheatre 2013 Schedule of Events, visit www.historicmasonictheatre.com or visit the Masonic Theatre Face Book page. |  | Design/buildLAB students presenting the design at a public meeting at the Amphitheatre
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