Call for design and art proposals

The plans for the Stewardship Center to be constructed east of the pavilion using the natural building materials of earth and straw have been reviewed by the Shaker Heights’ Architectural Review Board and approved with great enthusiasm. The Board was excited about the extensive green nature of the building and its potential for the education and involvement of the community. Knowing that we can move forward with the project we need to look at all the artistic, exhibit, and educational potential for the building. We welcome all ideas and comments.

Two ideas that have been put forward so far for the design are to have a relief mural of the Doan Brook watershed on the 24’ wall that will be facing the pavilion and to incorporate a nature based design using colored glass bottles in the cob wall. The following pictures show examples of some of the creative work that has been done in other places. Please submit your ideas or proposals for these two elements or for other relief carvings, windows, benches, sculpture, metal work or any other artistic element you would like to see or actually do in the building.







Submitted by Jan Zorman

Clearing the Site

The first step towards the realization of the stewardship center will be happening soon.
Lauren Lanphear at Forest City Tree Protection Company is donating his services to clear the site to the east of the pavilion. In the process three small ash trees will be removed. Because of the devastation of the emerald ash borer the trees are being salvaged before they are infected. In the spirit of the project these trees will be incorporated in some way into the building. Ideas are welcomed. Please see posting on call for design/art proposals.

submitted by Jan Zorman

It takes a village

The aim of this project is along the lines of a barn raising. The more individuals and groups involved in the planning, design and construction, the better. Staff and Board members are reaching out to Hard Hatted Women, the Shaker Historical Society and a number of other groups and constituents. Who else makes sense? Here are a few groups identified in a recent brainstorming session:

• Archaeologists
• Architects
• Architecture students
• Art Community
• Builders & Developers
• City Building Inspectors / Engineers / Architecture Review people (Regionally)
• Community Planners & Leaders
• Creative Class / Young Leaders
• Energy Efficiency folks, etc.
• Green Leaders, e.g., The Cleveland Foundation, E4S, EcoCity Cleveland, Earth Day Coalition
• Historical Preservationists
• John Hay High School
• Land steward professionals
• Landscape architects & designers
• Local schoolchildren
• Nature Center Directors / ANCA / Environmental Brethren, EcoCity Cleveland, Earth Day Coalition, CMNH, Holden Arboretum
• Rabid Green Building Enthusiasts of Greater Cleveland

Submitted by Steve Cadwell.

Stewardship Center update, 3-26-2007

• Finance Director Paul Anderson did a great job at the March 6 NCSL board meeting of demonstrating the need for the new natural-material construction center. Board Member Len Steinbach has before and since guided staff on how to maximize participation and value of the project, which has the potential to relate to all of the priorities of our strategic plan in addition to our ongoing programs and educational efforts.

• Facilities Director Jan Zorman met with the Shaker Heights Architectural Review Board March 19 to share our concept and ask for input. After spirited discussion and exchange of information, ARB overwhelmingly indicated support and enthusiasm for the project. We’re looking forward to more input from a number of constituents and potential beneficiaries of the project.

• The Shaker Historical Society expressed interest in collaborating in an intriguing way: two SHS board members, both archaeologists, propose studying the site of the Stewardship Center to determine any historical significance. They intend to recruit local archaeology students to assist in the “dig” and allow other volunteers to help as well, while learning about archeological methods and local history. This is one of many proposed collaborations between our organizations.

Submitted by Steve Cadwell.

Stewardship Stew Welcomes You

Welcome to the Stewardship Stew. Dig in. Offer your creative suggestions on Nature Center projects, programs and goals. Got a hot blog that should be checked out? Who else is being innovative with sustainability? Add your ingredients to the Stew. Spice it up!

First up: our Stewardship Center. This project aims to become the focal point of NCSL programs, educational offerings, volunteer activities, habitat protection and natural resources management. It’s new. It’s sustainable. It’s a one-of-a-kind solution to preserve a natural area, connect people with nature and inspire stewardship. (Check out the Nature Center's website to see drawings and plans and to learn more about the why’s, how’s and when’s.)

• "This Week In Shaker" covered last week’s Architecture Review Board meeting in Shaker Heights. You can read about it here.
• The images below show the proposed location for the Stewardship Center (click to get a closer look):