For the second year in a row, TSW Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture assembled multidisciplinary teams to address unique challenges faced by three metro Atlanta municipalities.  The full-day intensive brainstorming sessions were part of this year’s Open Studio event, which culminated with a social gathering and “reveal” of the plans.  TSW donated its professional time to create the plans for the City of Brookhaven, the City of Clarkston and the City of Atlanta/West End CID.

“The idea behind our Open Studio is two-fold:  first, to offer TSW’s design services to organizations that might not have the budget for a full-blown planning process, and second, to give TSW staff who don’t usually work together the opportunity to collaborate,” said Bryan Bays, TSW’s director of landscape architecture and senior principal.  “All three of our teams demonstrated a great deal of creativity and innovation as they considered the needs of their ‘client’ and brainstormed strategies and concepts.”

City of Brookhaven:  Brookhaven officials asked TSW to brainstorm the creation of an active, walkable City Center at and around the Brookhaven MARTA station on Peachtree Rd.  The team considered the needs of many who live and/or work in Brookhaven:  families who drive, Oglethorpe University students, young professionals who commute via bicycle and MARTA riders.  The City Center plan includes an iconic City Hall that includes a library and food hall, transit-oriented commercial and residential development, an outdoor, terraced amphitheatre, boutique hotel, new office space with ground floor retail and anchored pedestrian plazas at each corner.  A plaza spanning Peachtree Rd. would connect both sides of the thoroughfare, and green spaces will tie it all together.  The team also proposed realigning streets to provide better connectivity for pedestrians and vehicles.  Presentation link below:

www.tsw-design.com/wp-content/uploads/Brookhaven.pdf?utm_source=jhr-media-open-studio-recap&utm_medium=online-04.5.2019&utm_campaign=

City of Clarkston:  City officials of this municipality asked for ideas to reinvigorate a two-block area in Clarkston’s downtown into a space that will function as the heart of the city and honor the diversity of its citizens.  Clarkson is known as America’s most diverse square mile, so the team was challenged to design a city center that will serve people of varied cultures, economic and educational levels, ages and languages.  The TSW team presented an incremental plan to reclaim abandoned and underused buildings by creating multi-purpose shared spaces including municipal offices, co-working and incubator/maker’s spaces and designating areas for market/food stalls.  To enliven the downtown, a new City Hall design was presented featuring a rooftop brewery, along with a signature greenspace.  Re-designed streetscapes with gateway elements, signage and public art will enhance the city center’s visibility from Ponce de Leon and improve flow through the flexible spaces.  Presentation link below:

www.tsw-design.com/wp-content/uploads/Clarkston.pdf?utm_source=jhr-media-open-studio-recap&utm_medium=online-04.5.2019&utm_campaign=

City of Atlanta/West End CID:  The TSW team focused on an area near the West End MARTA station and developed initiatives to create a vibrant district that is relevant to the community.  The team was challenged by the client to brainstorm solutions that are quick and relatively easy to implement.  TSW focused on two tactics: strategies for growing businesses in place and connecting people to the culture and experience of West End. Solutions included creating public-private-nonprofit partnerships to plan festivals and events that celebrate West End and increase the perception of safety.  Local vendors will add to the festival atmosphere and new crosswalks, murals and on-street parking will enhance the pedestrian experience.  The existing bridge at the MARTA station will become a gateway to the area, drawing people in, while existing sidewalks and alleys will be utilized for public spaces and outdoor seating.  Presentation link below:

www.tsw-design.com/wp-content/uploads/West-End.pdf?utm_source=jhr-media-open-studio-recap&utm_medium=online-04.5.2019&utm_campaign=

Sponsors for Open Studio included:

• USA Shade – Main Event Sponsor

• Sesco Lighting – Main Event Sponsor

• Architectural Design Specialties (ADS)

• ForeverLawn

• Pella Windows

• ABC Imaging

• Cherokee Brick

• Great Southern Recreation