Murray, Tenn.–As part of the Governor’s Scholars Program at Murray State University this past summer, Emery Ginger’s Architectural Design class took on an engaging service project for the city of Benton, Kentucky. They were approached by Mayor Rita Dotson to redesign and renovate the existing Benton Memorial Park located on the town square. The goal was to take the existing site and revitalize it in a way that honored first responders, was more interactive for the community, and promoted a maintainable, attractive design. Each scholar was given a model of the existing site and was allowed the creative freedom to change or keep aspects that best showcased the city’s intentions for the site.
To fully accomplish this, the scholars completed research on first responders, discussed what it means to honor a group of people in design, learned about urban spaces and what attracts visitors, and learned about sustainability because they, as designers, are responsible for creating structures that generate minimal harmful effects to the ecosystem and the communities. They learned industry standard software for architecture and were able to execute their ideas.
The class produced thorough designs that were presented to the mayor and other representatives for the city of Benton during the last week of class. They learned how to manage a client relationship, complete design research and analysis, and execute an aesthetic design that promotes the reform of a community.