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Partnership Tackles Pavilion For Park

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2007

TEMPLE TERRACE - The principals in a first-of-its-kind joint venture are committed to creating a top-notch product. They also accept that the planning and delivery process is no simple walk in the park.

The Temple Terrace Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with the University of South Florida School of Architecture and Community Design to create a pavilion at Riverfront Park, a 108-acre site adjacent to Florida College. Students are charged with designing and constructing the project, and the city will provide the building materials.

"I think it's a great partnership, and it makes sense because USF is so close to us," said James Chambers, parks and recreation director. "It gives us a better, nicer structure than if we were to purchase one, and it gives the students a chance to work with real clients."

On Oct. 30, students unveiled their design proposal. The pavilion's curved roof would be 7 to 8 feet tall at its edge and rise to 10 feet high at its peak. They envision the structure being constructed of bamboo beams infused with rammed earth, a combination of a clay-based soil and cement mixture they say further strengthens what is already a tough, wind-resilient plant.

Students also suggest adding sheet metal to the top and plywood to the bottom of the bamboo struts and bolting them to concrete supports behind the seating of the open-air amphitheater that would hold 80 people. The facility north of Bullard Parkway/Temple Terrace Highway abutting the Hillsborough River could be used as an outdoor classroom or for small group gatherings.
Architectural student Shane Ross, a spokesman for the 12-person USF team, said existing trees on the property would help shade the all-concrete open arena.

"We'll just do some basic clearing for the foundation, but there will be no clearing of trees," Ross said.

They have also designed the project so visitors can easily access it from the park's walking trails and enjoy a replica of Temple Terrace's landmark wooden Bat Tower, which was destroyed by fire in 1979. Supporters are raising money to reconstruct the tower near the proposed pavilion.

"We are designing the pavilion as an example of how natural and recycled materials can be used in construction to promote green building in the Tampa area," said Stan Russell, USF School of Architecture assistant professor, who suggested including an exhibit describing the material used in the project.

Grant Rimbey, an architect and Temple Terrace resident, also is a proponent of green building, including the use of bamboo.

"In comparison, if they had chosen to use, say, pine or cypress, it would be more expensive than bamboo, and both pine and cypress take many years to grow and need more energy to convert them into useable products," Rimbey said.
Temple Terrace parks planner Dana Carver likes the curvature of the pavilion and the idea of the amphitheater.

"I can see this benefiting all aspects of the city," he said, "but if we have a structure that will seat 80 people, we'll have to have parking space for at least 30 cars."

Karl Langefeld, the city's assistant parks and recreation director, agreed.

"I think, within the infrastructure, that may be the size we should shoot for," said Langefeld, who suggested setting up a meeting soon with city engineer Joe Motta to determine whether the structures meet Temple Terrace's building codes.

In an effort to maintain his timeline of completing the design process by the end of December, so students can start building the project early next year, Russell is willing to tweak the plan to fit the needs and desires of city officials.

Carver said he will aim to bring the issue before city council members at their Nov. 20 meeting.

"Technically, we could be set to open it by the end of the summer," Chambers said.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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