THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994 TAG: 9405280199
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mike Knepler
DATELINE: 940602 LENGTH: Medium
A Habitat house at 400 W. 30th St. in Park Place has nabbed an architectural honor from Norfolk's Design Review Committee.
{REST} The non-profit Habitat produces housing for low-income families. Former President Jimmy Carter is among its national leaders and big-name volunteers.
Locally, Habitat has hundreds of heroes, average folks who donate hands-on construction skills, building materials or cash.
All that came together in an extra-special effort last year for the house on 30th Street. Its most prominent feature is a wide front porch with wood railings and stairs.
That made for a winner. ``We felt it was really in character with the older houses in the neighborhood,'' said Mary Miller, a city planner who staffs the Design Review panel.
``We've always heard so much criticism about new homes not in keeping with the existing orientation of older homes,'' she said. ``We seem to hear more and more of it. That's what people would like to see.''
Many earlier Habitat houses were built with little thought about blending into neighborhoods. But two key things helped change that:
The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority began donating land on the condition that Habitat houses be better designed.
Architect James R. Washington donated the design for the 30th Street house, which was built by volunteers from First Presbyterian Church, where he is a member.
Habitat now is trying to be architecturally sensitive in all neighborhoods where it is active.
That's good news for the Design Review Committee. ``Part of the intent in doing these awards is to hopefully encourage others'' to be thoughtful as well as creative, Miller said.
That bears out for three of the other four award winners: Life Savings Bank's restoration of the 95-year-old Life Building (former Wheat Building) on downtown Main Street; the addition of Saint Theodore's Chapel to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, and the conversion of Center Theater into the Harrison Opera House.
However, the Design Review Committee's rationale for its award to the ``Omni Pedestrian Walkway'' is a mystery.
The covered walkway allows pedestrians to walk between the Omni International Hotel and Waterside without being exposed to the weather.
OK, it's a good idea, functional and compatible with both buildings.
But it's not compelling or inspiring. It's really an afterthought that should have been built 10 years ago.
One more point about these annual awards.
If the committee wants to encourage better designs and greater public appreciation of architecture, then it ought to organize a public display of annual winners. Good venues include the City Hall lobby, Kirn Memorial Library, Waterside and Chrysler Museum.
Or create an educational event. Rotate an exhibit among the high schools, promoting good design standards to future generations.
by CNB