AIA150 Update:

A New Hampshire Community Planning Model — Public Forums in Durham Shape Concept Drawings

Over the past year the AIA150 team and Durham officials, residents, and stakeholders have been working together to articulate a vision for a redeveloped Mill Plaza property in Durham. (Please scroll below for detailed information on the AIA150 initiative and what it means for communities in New Hampshire.)

Current status:
The Durham Mill Plaza Study Committee has developed a final report and practical recommendations to help guide the redevelopment of the Mill Plaza property. The report includes studies, reports, and drawings developed over the past year by AIA150 volunteer architects and landscape architects in a collaborative effort with the MPSC and residents of Durham. It contains clear recommendations and summarizes public feedback on a variety of important issues including commercial mix, housing, site access, the College Brook/Faculty Neighborhood buffer, and the library. The report will be presented to the Durham Town council on May 5. You can access the report here.

The design concepts were made in three rounds over the past year by three teams of architects (see below). All along the designers have considered the Durham community vision; relationships with stakeholders, such as the University and local business owners; communication with the property owner; economic analysis studies; a study of the College Brook and environmental issues; examination of traffic issues; LEED Neighborhood criteria; the AIA's 10 Principles on Livable Communities; and feedback from the public at four earlier meetings. The final report and recommendations to the Town Council will draw upon design elements in all of the drawings, rather than presenting one as a final product alone.

Video of the AIA150 Initiative:
A video of the Community Planning Model process, adaptable for other New Hampshire communities, is underway. We have over 40 hours of footage and the Task Force is currently working on final interviews and a narrative. We are still in need of funds to complete this crucial part of the initiative. With this tool we will be able to share the lessons learned with other communities throughout the Sate and the Region. We are still in need of funds to complete this part of the project. If you would like to contribute, please click on the "Make a Donation" button at right.

The AIANH AIA150 Team is a collaborative effort among AIANH, PlanNH, The Jordan Institute, the Granite State Landscape Architects, the NH Preservation Alliance. The AIA150 Task Force includes independent interested professionals as well.

Design Teams
Our thanks go to the dedicated professionals willing to give their time pro-bono to work on design concepts. The teams include:
Team 1:
Chris Drobat AIA, (team leader), Chris Urner, Michael McKeown Assoc. AIA, (all from Lavallee Brensinger Architects); and Kevin Burke ASLA, Collaborative Designs.
Team 2:
Bill Schoonmaker AIA, Schoonmaker Architects (team leader); Nick Isaak AIA.; Robbi Woodburn ASLA, Woodburn & Co.; and Walter Rous, Architect.
Team 3:
Bruce Dicker FAIA (team leader), Fabianna Orlando Assoc. AIA, Rob Westhelle Assoc. AIA, Michael Tague AIA, Tom Ingebritson (all from JSA, Inc.), and Elizabeth Dudley ASLA, The Outdoor Room.

The AIA150 Task Force is led by Patricia Sherman FAIA and Michael Castagna.
For a complete list of volunteers in this effort, click here.

Our AIA150 Initiative:
Our AIA150 initiative demonstrates how design professionals can work together with the community in the planning, design, and development process. The goal is to plan a mixed-use development for a downtown property in Durham, N.H. and to obtain permits by the end of 2008. The selected site is The Mill Plaza that is adjacent to the University of New Hampshire. The redevelopment will demonstrate design and construction principles that are environmentally sustainable, affordable, and in keeping with community character. AIANH is working with Durham’s civic leadership (including elected officials, nonprofits, media, and local citizens).

The AIANH AIA150 Team is a collaborative effort among AIANH, PlanNH, The Jordan Institute, the Granite State Landscape Architects, the NH Preservation Alliance. The AIA150 Task Force includes independent interested professionals as well.

The town of Durham and the AIANH AIA150 Team have partnered to form The Durham/AIA150 Community Partnership.

The pro-bono work of AIANH and its team is part of the "Blueprint for America" initiative.

The Blueprint for America is the primary program of AIA150, a yearlong observance in 2007 that will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the AIA. The Blueprint program was created to offer citizens in communities across America an opportunity to celebrate their community heritage, address emerging architectural challenges and trends, and find their voices to help make their vision real for beautiful, safe, and livable communities. Blueprint for America initiatives will evolve over the next three years and beyond.

The community planning model will be based on "AIA's Ten Principle's for Livable Communities" which challenge architects to demonstrate how good design is an investment and that well-designed communities attract and benefit residents, businesses, and visitors, and meet the needs of present and future generations alike.

For information on the ten principles, go to www.aia.org.

For additional information on NH's AIA150 project: NH AIA150 NH General Information

If you are interested in helping to support this initiative or in working on the New Hampshire AIA150 Task Force, contact Carolyn Isaak, Executive Director, AIANH. E-mail

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