Roanoke, VA – The Emerging Leaders in Architecture (young architects from across the Commonwealth of Virginia) will host an Open House on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Goodwill Industries of the Valley, located at 2502 Melrose Ave. NW. The event is an opportunity for this group to present ideas for how to develop portions of the Melrose-Orange Avenue area and to hear from the community what they would like to see developed in their neighborhood. Lunch will be provided at the event, and a group discussion will occur during the meal (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.).
The city and the Emerging Leaders in Architecture group have been working together for several months on this project. While they have brought in community leaders and business owners for input during the process, this will be the first time input from the entire community is being sought.
The architect group’s focus has been on the Melrose Avenue corridor between 21st and 25th Streets, with an emphasis on the following:
- Community Identity and Storytelling – Crafting compelling verbal and visual narratives that translate into marketing, publicity, physical interventions, and visioning graphic language—all seeking to enhance the community’s image to residents and the City of Roanoke at large.
- Streetscape and Transportation – Developing and visualizing streetscape design possibilities and research transportation infrastructure to increase connectivity and expand access to existing services.
Emerging Leaders in Architecture is an Honors Academy of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Virginia, designed to develop future leaders in architecture firms, in communities, and in the profession. The AIA Virginia is a state component of the national AIA, a professional society with component organizations at the national, state, and local levels, focused on delivering value to architects with statewide impact.
For more information about the Open House, contact Katharine Gray, Land Use and Urban Design Planner with the city’s Planning Building & Development Department, at 540-853-1502 or [email protected].