Our Approach
If you haven’t had time to visit one of Confluence’s office locations recently, visit this area to see what we have been up to lately. This is your window into our world, and provides a glimpse into “in-progress” projects and initiatives currently underway throughout our network of offices.
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In Progress: ACT Courtyard
February 13, 2012
Confluence is currently working with ACT (American College Testing) to redesign their central campus courtyard.
· view full ·The space is essentially surrounded on three sides by two buildings, the Ferguson Building framing the west and a northwest segment and the Davidson Building framing the east and northeast segment. An underground tunnel connects the two wings. The two building complexes including the courtyard were designed and constructed in the mid 1980’s. ACT has a very active and well funded grounds maintenance program. The entire campus is well organized, meticulously manicured and sends a strong positive message to any visitor that arrives.
We were asked to walk the courtyard with the client to discuss the site concerns that currently exist:
- Severe ground moisture problems leading to plant fatalities and plaza hardscape failures.
- Inadequate lighting
- Underuse of the courtyard by staff
The existing courtyard geometry is neat and organized but fairly stiff. Our directive was to change the entire look and feel of the space and bring new design energy into play. The first phase of our work was to develop an overall master plan for the new courtyard. After many meetings with staff, a final design was presented to the client. The new design introduces a much more relaxed landscape architectural theme with bed lines that sweep through the space connecting walkways, tree groves and water features while providing wonderful views and inviting pleasant places to sit and enjoy the outdoors.
We are currently nearing Design Development Phase completion and will have the final Construction Document set available for selected contractors by March 1st. Construction is currently slated to be done in early July.
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In Progress: Big Sioux River Greenway – Phase I
January 20, 2012
Confluence is in full swing on the construction of Phase One of the downtown Big Sioux River Greenway in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Situated between 6th and 8th Street, the work includes reconstruction of the east bank and improvements to the west bank. Greenway upgrades include river walls, improved greenway access, gathering areas, seating, a widened trail, a new pedestrian bridge, and landscape and irrigation improvements.
· view full ·Current work in progress includes the design and construction of interpretive signage throughout the site. Primary locations are on a series of large stone based light piers near the central stepped river edge and at entrance nodes where the greenway interacts with the downtown community.
The eight light piers are constructed of an 8′ tall quartzite veneer base with a 6′ tall printed graphic makrolon top. Graphics for the lighted top include artistic renderings of native South Dakotan little bluestem and switchgrass. Mounted on the base of each stone pier is a printed high pressure laminate historical sign displaying images and interpretation of surrounding buildings, the greenway’s development, and the evolution of parks throughout Sioux Falls’ history. Further high pressure laminate signs featuring images of the greenway and falls are mounted on large slabs of quartzite at the primary entrances to the project on both north and south ends.
Planning for Phase Two of Greenway improvements has begun, and will incorporate further interpretive signage, ADA bike and pedestrian access to the bike trail, additional river walls, and stepped river edge improvements. Phase Two construction on the east bank south of 8th Street will begin in 2012.
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In Progress: Downtown Raytown Streetscape Design
December 9, 2011
Confluence was recently selected by the City to prepare a Streetscape Master Plan to guide future infrastructure improvements in Raytown’s Central Business District. The project will also integrate a phased approach for implementation.
· view full ·To officially kick-off the design process, Confluence led the project’s Steering Committee members on a bus tour to review several of our staff’s recent Kansas City-area streetscape projects. The weather cooperated with us, and allowed participants to “kick the tires” at several stops along the way, including:
- Downtown Lee’s Summit
- Downtown Overland Park
- Kansas City’s Main Street Corridor
- Kansas City’s Second Street Corridor
Attendees also participated in a brief project walk-through of a portion of Raytown’s Downtown area – pointing out challenges and identifying some initial design opportunities. The day concluded with a design workshop complete with facilitated discussion and interactive activities. Design and planning work is now underway, with the Master Plan and Phase One implementation recommendations currently slated for completion in late-Spring to early-Summer 2012.
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Just Completed: Dordt College Clock Tower
November 14, 2011
Confluence has led campus design and planning efforts for several enhancements and improvements to the Dordt College Campus. One of these recent improvements includes a new Clock Tower that was just completed in September 2011.
· view full ·Dordt College selected Confluence to develop a concept for this iconic new clock tower on the Dordt College campus with the goal of providing a landmark feature within the campus core.
The clock tower was designed as a component to a larger, central gathering space. It marks a place where students can congregate, socialize and reflect. This plaza provides a flexible area for public gatherings, speeches and musical events. An information kiosk is positioned adjacent to the tower to provide a location for news, announcements and other information. A low wall surrounds the plaza, providing a place for student interaction. Ornamental trees and grasses surround the clock tower, grounding it to the site and creating a sense of enclosure within in the plaza.
The design of the clock tower supports the identity of the college by honoring the faith and reflecting the mission that is at the center of the Dordt College experience. This campanile bears the hallmarks of a traditional building type; tall and slender with a strong grounded base and pronounced crown. It is anticipated that this space will become a time-honored campus landmark and place of great significance for future generations of students, faculty and alumni.
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In-Progress: Arts Campus Master Plan
October 20, 2011
Confluence is collaborating with Balmori Associates of New York to develop a new master plan for the Arts Campus at the University of Iowa. Recently, our team traveled to New York to meet with the Balmori team and brainstorm ideas for this project.
· view full ·Since the floods of 2008, the Arts Campus has been in need of a master plan that will help mitigate flooding problems while maintaining a cohesive pedestrian friendly campus. Confluence and Balmori Associates are currently in the preliminary stages of planning. This plan will set the framework for the construction of the new Hancher Auditorium while providing a long term vision for the area.
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In-Progress: Whiterock Conservancy
September 14, 2011
Confluence is leading a team to analyze and expand the area’s existing trail system, including exploring potential trail reconstruction and providing additional trail connections and related amenities for a total 30-35 mile network near Coon Rapids, Iowa.
· view full ·Whiterock Conservancy is a non-profit land trust whose mission is to involve the public in finding an appropriate balance between agriculture and the environment. The Conservancy stewards more than 5,000 acres of land along the Middle Raccoon River.
This project is unique in that Whiterock Conservancy has hired outside resource professionals to evaluate and identify interpretive opportunities for ecology, archaeology, geology and water resources. For the next nine months, scientific surveys will be conducted to establish a baseline of natural resources in the trail corridor, so that trail impacts can be measured over time. The trails will accommodate hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and cross-country skiers while also integrating trail amenities such as river access points, wildlife viewing infrastructure, wilderness campsite development, additional interpretative signage and habitat improvements.
Preliminary field work has been completed and a draft of the trail corridor concept is being presented at a public meeting on September 14, 2011. The concept will be finalized with input from this meeting, and construction documents are slated to be prepared for a spring 2012 bid letting – with construction anticipated in late summer/fall 2012.
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In-Progress: Olathe Community Center + Stagecoach Park
August 8, 2011
Confluence is serving a key role on a multi-disciplinary team that was recently selected to design and integrate a new community center facility into Olathe’s existing Stagecoach Park. Initial stages of planning and design activities are now underway to begin shaping the future of this important park and facility.
· view full ·The park is already home to several community events, and will be carefully planned to continue serving the community’s needs in the future. Among other amenities and features currently being considered, the new community center is anticipated to include indoor aquatics, fitness, recreation activities, and community meeting rooms.