Land of Sky - Brownfield Site

My studio this semester is undertaking a brownfield site located along the French Broad River, in the River Arts District, of Asheville, NC. The site was originally the home of a tannery that used the tannins from chestnut oaks. Now it is a dilapidated squatters paradise.


The developer would like to see it as an extension of the existing River Arts District with low rent spaces for artists and businesses. The River Links Organization and the City of Asheville have other ideas since it is located in the 100 year flood plain. They see it as a recreational extension of the French Broad River - not a mixed use development.


It is our duty to decide and design the best possible solution for the site given the the constraints and wishes of the involved parties. Also, did I mention that this is indeed a design competition? It is focused for Architectural and Landscape Architect students. We have departments and studios from NC State, West Virginia, VA Tech, Arizona, and Clemson competing.

More on the competition.