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Projects
Community Research and Design Center

Projects

Projects

The center has successfully positioned itself as an entity that offers value to those with whom it owrks by seeking groups and individuals with potentential design needs that embrace creativity, target sustainability, and prescribe to critical thinking.  From pedestiran-bike initiatives, greenways and trail systems to organic farming, local food, and sustainable tailgating, the CR+DC established itself as one interested in how communities work well and how businesses thrive while addressing sustainable practices and meaningful applied design.  It prides itself on a willingness to share without restriction, its ideas, energy, and insights.  Its diverse background in professional creative practice allows the CR+DC to participate in key discussions that address issues in architecture, planning, development, construction, landscape, events, community communication, sustainability, team building, natural resource management, and education.  Student teams are led in a manner to always maintain a firm grasp on the root problem and to understand the community needs associated with such while learning what it means to provide poignant deliverables.  With student desgn teams installed on the front line of engagement, the CR+DC maintains its simple but effective objective to involve students at every level of a project's process ensuring a positive and valued experience for all.

OUR PROJECT THEMES

dwelling projects resilient network projects agrarian projects
constructive learning projects service projects

Dwelling Projects

+Indigo Pine East (IPE)

Project Type:  Design Build

Organizational Structure:  Studio

Partners:  School of Architecture, CR+DC, South Carolina Botanical Garden

Funding:  School of Architecture, CR+DC, Clemson Architectural Foundation

Faculty:  Dan Harding, Dustin Albright, Ulrike Heine, Vincent Blouin & David Pastre

# of Students:  40

# of University Departments:  5

ipe

IPE served as a both a prototype for the 2015 Solar Decathlon competition as well as a demonstration site for Clemson University research available to general public. Over 1000 elementary, middle and high school students visited Indigo Pine and subsequently articipated in workshops, design charettes, and other educational opportunities. It has also supported other sustainable energy and built environment-centric courses at Clemson University.

+Indigo Pine West (IPW): Solar Decathlon

Project Type:  Design Build

Organizational Structure:  Studio

Project Partners:  School of Architecture, CR+DC, South Carolina Botanical Garden

Funding:  School of Architecture, CR+DC, Clemson Architectural Foundation

Faculty:  Dan Harding, Dustin Albright, Ulrike Heine, Vincent Blouin, David Pastre

# of Students:  175

# of University Departments:  9

ipe

IPW was constructed and built for the 2015 Solar Decathlon in Irvine California and respectively won numerous awards in and out of competition.

+Indigo Pine Schematic Design Sim[PLY]

Project Type:  Design Build

Organizational Structure:  Studio

Project Partners:  School of Architecture and CR+DC

Funding:  School of Architecture, CR+DC and Clemson Architectural Foundation

Faculty:  Dan Harding, Dustin Albright, Ulrike Heine, Vincent Blouin, David Pastre

# of Students:  12

# of University Departments:  5

ipe

The Sim[PLY] construction system was developed to safetly and effectively leverage technology to increase community participation and proactively have an impact on sustainable and affordable housing in SC.  CU Research Foundation is supporting the development and patent protection process of intellectual property developed by the School of Architecture research team.

Resilient Networks

+Green Crescent Project: Clemson Greenway and Connection to Advanced Material Campus

Project Type: Research

Organizational Structure: Seminar Course

Project Partners:  CR+DC, Office of Economic Development, Advanced Material Campus

Funding:  CR+DC

Faculty: Dan Harding

# of Students:  14

# of University Departments:  1

gcp

The Green Crescent Trail system project has turned into a community initiated nonprofit organization that has received over $70,000 of funding from local municipalities, education institutions, and private donors for an ongoing feasibility study to assist local community members identify a clear path for a sustainable pedestrian + bike network. As director of the CR+DC and community member, Dan Harding serves as a member on the Friends of the Green Crescent Board of Directors.

+Heritage Trail: bridges and trail reconstruction

Project Type: Design + Build Installation

Organizational Structure: Design Studio

Project Partners: South Carolina Botanical Garden, Architecture + communityBuild (A+cB), CR+DC, School of Architecture, Dept. of Landscape Architecture

Funding: PSA

Faculty: Dan Harding and Paul Russell

# of Students: 5

# of University Departments: 2

ipe

The South Carolina Botanical Garden Heritage Trail reconstruction project in 2014 included bridge reconstruction, way-finding enhancement and public art installations directed at environmental education.

Agrarian

+CropSTOP v1

Project Type:  Design + Build

Organizational Structure: Studio

Project Partners: CU Agribusiness, College of Charleston, Johns Island Farm, Clemson Architectural Center, Charleston (CAC.C), CR+DC

Funding:  CU Agribusiness, College of Charleston

Faculty: David Pastre

# of Students:  7

# of University Departments:  1

gcp

The CropSTOP project is a Dirt to School Initiative that the CAC.C and Professor David Pastre have been collaborating on with the College of Charleston and the Clemson University Agribusiness and Economic Development Program. With CR+DC and A+cB support, there have been two prototype food-processing kitchens for small local growers constructed in the Low Country and the Upstate using the sim[PLY] structural system.

+CropSTOP v2

Project Type: Design + Build

Organizational Structure: Studio

Project Partners: CU Agribusiness, College of Charleston, Mill Village Farms, CAC.C, CR+DC

Funding: CU Agribusiness, College of Charleston

Faculty: David Pastre

# of Students: 11

# of University Departments: 1

ipe

 

Constructive Learning

+Pop-up Atelier

Project Type: Design + Build, Installation and workshops

Organizational Structure: Creative Inquiry

Project Partners: SC AIA, SC Children's Museums (8 locations)

Funding:  SC AIA, CR+DC

Faculty: Dan Harding, David Pastre, Lynn Craig

# of Students:  12

# of University Departments:  1

gcp

The Pop-up Atelier project (2013) was a collaborative initiative that leveraged fluid campus research opportunities in Genoa, Italy, Charleston and Clemsohn, SC to research, design and construct a series of pop-up structures. The Pop-up Ateliers were installed at eight children museum/learning sites across South Carolina. Also supported by the AIA South Carolina Chapter, workshops dedicated to educating parents and children on the basic principles of architecture gain the State Chapter and Clemson recognition by a 2014 Component Excellence Award from the National AIA. The award was for Public Affairs and Communications Outstanding Overall Program.

Community Design + Research Center
Community Design + Research Center | 3-105 Lee Hall School of Architecture, Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634