Using historical foundations as the catalyst for new growth : an industrial incubator for Vestal, Tennessee

This thesis proposes that a community is made up of the interactions of its inhabitants. In order for a civic structure to function successfully, it must be a part of daily life and support the beliefs of those it serves. A secondary goal of the thesis is to demonstrate how linkage between old and new uses in civic design allows for the creation of new space based on an appreciation for what has come before. A civic structure is developed for the community of Vestal, Tennessee in the form of an industrial incubator. In keeping with the thesis premise, the incubator is meant to provide a backdrop for the residents of Vestal to carry on with their daily lives. The Community of Vestal was founded by those skilled at quarrying, cutting, and finishing marble, which is an abundant resource in the area. The incubator is meant to be used as a catalyst to bring back jobs involved in skilled labor and craft to Vestal. The employment rate and home ownership have de-clined in the area after the major industrial employers left. The incubator is placed within the structure of an existing industrial building previously used for finishing marble, within Vestal's now abandoned industrial corridor. The new building is meant to address the present day needs for employment training and opportunity in the area while drawing on the historic value of its site. The new structure acts literally as a bridge to the local inhabitants of Vestal between the past and present, providing a sense of place to the community and a focal point for activity.