2009 VA ASLA Awards

General Design Profesional - Bluefield's Chicory Square Revitalization

Merit Award 

Project: Bluefield's Chicory Square Revitalizaion

Landscape Architect: Hill Studio
Architect: E.T. Boggess, Inc.
Client: City of Bluefield, West Virginia
General Contractor: D.B.A. Shires

Chicory Square was completed in 2004 as a central civic amenity and activity space in historic downtown Bluefield, West Virginia. The initial concept design for the square was prepared by the Landscape Architect as part of an extensive public process and downtown masterplan completed in 1990. Fourteen years later, the Landscape Architect found the right grant for the client and the design raced to implementation.

The design for Chicory Square uses the turntable form of the former roundhouse as a stage platform. This semi-circular space and features draw visitors into the square. The surrounding landscape provides areas of interest by using different materials and transitional design elements.

Public money was very limited; creativity was needed to identifying funding sources and to package grant applications in order to make the project a reality. The landscape architect crafted a design that used bent railroad rails (a gift from the railroad) as a significant-value match for construction of the square. Responding to gift resources, creative design forms in the square provide a diversity of places to entertain, accommodate daily street activities, and host special events.

Using creative detailing and valuable "scavenged" items (stone wall segments and the railroad rails), the Landscape Architect was able to craft a well-designed and attractive public space in the center of downtown Bluefield. The project is a model for creating a signature community venue that incorporates recycled, surplus materials and preserves and interprets important elements of Bluefield's heritage

Jury comments:
- An Excellent concept that strove to reuse materials and incorporate local vernacular,
- Great use of urban space,
- Wonderful addition to downtown Bluefield,
- Design shows that limited funds doesn't always lead to poor spaces.