INDIANAPOLIS, In. (August 12, 2020)- Today, the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects announced the recipients of their 2020 Design Awards. We are pleased to share that Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group has three projects being recognized. Each year the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (INASLA) recognizes outstanding projects completed by individuals or organizations located in the State of Indiana. These awards are given in an effort to raise standards of excellence, heighten public appreciation of quality landscape architecture, and expand public awareness of the profession and ASLA.
The Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group projects being recognized for 2020 include:
Indianapolis Greenways Partnership: Pilot Programming Project– Indianapolis, IN- Honor Award, Communications.
This category recognizes achievements in communicating landscape architecture information, technology, theory, or practice to those within or outside the profession. The Indianapolis Greenways Partnership, a partnership between Indianapolis Parks Foundation, the City of Indianapolis, and Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group, was established to promote awareness and engagement with the Indianapolis Greenways System. The Partnership’s efforts are based upon the premise that providing broad opportunities for residents to engage with the greenways helps to build lifelong advocates, support, and demand for continued investment in the greenway system, especially with underserved user groups. In 2018-2019, the Partnership undertook a 12-month pilot project which included over 22 programs that provided meaningful engagement opportunities for users of all ages, incomes, and demographic types. Programs were developed, facilitated, and documented in the areas of Health, Fitness & Wellbeing; Cultural Enrichment & Engagement; Education & Awareness; and Commercial Engagement. For more information about the Indianapolis Greenways Partnership or to review the final report from the 12-month pilot project, visit the Greenways Partnership website at www.greenwayspartnership.com.
Fourth Street Resiliency Plan- A Look at How to Keep Fourth Street Healthy, Safe and Open for Business- Huntingburg, IN- Merit Award, Planning & Analysis.
This category recognizes the wide variety of professional activities that lead to, guide, or evaluate landscape architectural design. The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on local economies around the world. The spread of the virus, mandated closing of businesses, and continued need for social distancing has created extreme stresses on small businesses. In Huntingburg, Indiana, population 6500, Fourth Street is the community’s downtown commercial district. In mid-March, nearly all of the 35 businesses on Fourth Street was required by the State of Indiana to close or greatly limit their business capacity. This closure lasted for 69 days throughout March and April 2020 with an estimated impact of $2.596 million, or $74,175 lost revenue per business, nearly 20% of their average annual revenue. This plan was a week-long virtual charette study. The intent was to provide decision makers with the resources necessary to make quick decisions and implement an expedited reopening plan for June 5-July 5, 2020. The Fourth Street Resiliency Plan can be viewed at the following link: Final White Paper.
North Split Context Sensitive Solutions Aesthetic Design Guidelines – Indianapolis, IN- Merit Award, Planning & Analysis.
This category recognizes the wide variety of professional activities that lead to, guide, or evaluate landscape architectural design. The North Split Project is an upgrade of the existing interchange where I-65 and I-70 meet on the northeast side of downtown Indianapolis. As part of this infrastructure project, the Indiana Department of Transportation facilitated a Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process that created the Aesthetic Design Guidelines to be utilized as a resource tool during the interchange replacement project. The CSS process followed the guidelines of the FHWA that involved a collaborative, interdisciplinary decision making process and design approach that involved a wide range of stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting. The Aesthetic Design Guidelines direct the overall appearance of new North Split infrastructure and other features within the project area, with special emphasis on integrating the interchange design into the urban setting of adjacent neighborhoods and downtown Indianapolis. To view the North Split Aesthetic Design Guidelines, visit the North Split website at https://northsplit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/North-Split-Aesthetic-Design-Guidelines.pdf.
While we always strive to bring value to our clients by providing the highest level of thought leadership, planning and design, the design awards provide an opportunity for peer professional review of the work we do and we are always appreciative to be recognized in these ways. Congratulations to our staff, our partner consultants, and our clients on being recognized with these awards!