7. Appendix A - Detailed Project Design & Alignment

Overview

This proposal outlines a transformative public art and placemaking project on a vacant lot on Clinton Street, as a core component of Binghamton's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). As an artist using land as her canvas, the project creates sustainable structures that reimagine a challenging site as a public sanctuary for healing and community engagement. By integrating large-scale sculpture, sustainable architecture, and ecological design, the Binghamton Octave Sanctuary & Garden will become a cultural landmark and a symbol of urban renewal for the city.

Existing Conditions & Need for the Project

The proposed project would be located on a currently underutilized and vacant lot within the DRI boundary. The city has several of these "forgotten" sites, including those with challenging topography such as sloped or uneven land, which are often overlooked for traditional development. These sites currently contribute to a perception of urban blight and a lack of public safety. The absence of inviting public spaces and community-oriented destinations diminishes the overall quality of life and discourages positive engagement in the area. A comprehensive geological and environmental survey of the chosen site will be a priority for the project, as the safety of all community members is of the utmost importance.

The need for this project is to not only transform a blighted property into a functional, aesthetically pleasing public space but also to demonstrate a commitment to community revitalization through public art. By addressing a significant land-use challenge, the project will serve as a model for urban renewal and will create a safe, accessible, and beautiful community asset where one currently does not exist.

Philosophical Message: The Binghamton Octave Sanctuary

The name of the project, Binghamton Octave Sanctuary, celebrates the number 8 as a sacred number. When laid horizontally, the number 8 becomes the symbol of **infinity**. This core concept represents the project’s philosophical message: we can have an infinite number of people, of religions, of viewpoints, and of human experiences, but what we can share are deep feelings and emotions of **love and respect**. The project is a statement of who we are and who we want to be, a sanctuary for celebrating our shared humanity while honoring our differences.

Detailed Project Design: The "Flower" Concept

The entire site, approximately **1 acre (0.4 hectares)**, is conceived as a large-scale, aerial view of a flower. This symbolic design transforms the space into a cohesive, artistic narrative that is both visually striking and deeply engaging for visitors. All land measurements are in feet (ft) and meters (m), and all mini-model measurements are in inches (in) and centimeters (cm).

The Path (Stem): A welcoming path serves as the "stem" of the flower. It will be 6 ft (1.83 m) wide, with a length of approximately 75 ft (22.86 m), guiding visitors to the dome. On the mini-model, the path will be 0.6 in (1.52 cm) wide and 7.5 in (19.05 cm) long. This path is designed for **full accessibility**.
The Leaves (Public Bathrooms): Positioned as the "leaves" of the flower, two public bathrooms will be strategically located for accessibility. Each will be **15 ft x 25 ft (4.57 m x 7.62 m)**. The exterior of these structures will also include large-scale sculpted leaves, blending them into the garden's natural theme. The water supply for the bathrooms will be a combination of **rainwater harvesting** from their roofs and city water, ensuring a sustainable approach. On the mini-model, each bathroom will be 1.5 in x 2.5 in (3.81 cm x 6.35 cm).
The Bud (Mini Amphitheater): At the end of the stem, a circular **24 ft (7.32 m) diameter** "bud" will serve as a street-level performance space. This outdoor amphitheater features three rows of seating and a central stage that is **12 ft (3.66 m) in diameter**. A hidden, functional room underneath will provide a green room for performers and a crew area for lighting and sound control. On the mini-model, the amphitheater will be 2.4 in (6.10 cm) in diameter, with a stage of 1.2 in (3.05 cm) in diameter.
The Canal & Veins: A **6 ft (1.83 m) wide canal** will serve as a ring encircling the petals. Within the canal, eight twists of a mobius shape will be created, with gradual twists and mini-waterfalls providing natural drainage. The veins of the flower will be a series of separate, narrow drainage mini-canals running from the heights of each petal down to the main canal, covered with metal grills for safety.
The 8 Bridges: The canal will be crossed by eight **5 ft (1.52 m) wide arch bridges** that symbolize "flying seeds." These bridges, built using the **Roman keystone concept**, provide structural integrity and a powerful visual link between the garden's elements. The length and height of each bridge will be determined during the engineering and design phase, based on the highest recorded rainwater level. On the mini-model, each bridge will be 0.5 in (1.27 cm) wide.
The 8 Petals: The sculpture garden forms the eight elevated petals of the flower. Each petal is a raised platform created from moved earth, hosting a triad of sculptures: a central monumental **human-tree hybrid** flanked by two living "female" trees. The stone-like benches will be in an inverted T-shape to allow seating from both opposite directions, providing versatile seating for visitors.
The Flower Center (Interfaith Dome): The **25 ft (7.62 m) diameter** interfaith dome serves as the "receptacle" of the flower. The dome's exterior is built with sustainable CalEarth earthbag construction, with earthbag benches integrated into its structure. The interior features **eight sculpted stone alcoves** dedicated to spiritual texts at the bottom and candles on top. These alcoves are designed based on archaeological structures to address fire hazard issues, ensuring safety while providing a sacred space for all. On the mini-model, the dome will be 2.5 in (6.35 cm) in diameter.

The "Color-by-Day" Game

The project’s central artistic framework is an engaging, interactive concept called the "Color-by-Day" Game. This system assigns an emotional tone and a specific color to each day of the week, with the eighth day representing a celebratory festival. Visitors are encouraged to participate by wearing the right color of the day, creating a visual display of community engagement that can generate significant media buzz and social media sharing. The weeks repeat themselves in a continuous cycle.

**Sunday: White Day.** The white canvas is the Big Bang. God started the world with the Big Bang.
**Monday: Blue, Grey & Silver Day.** Symbolizes the creation of the sky and the water.
**Tuesday: Earth Tones Day.** (Brown, Orange, Yellow, and Golden Tones) Symbolizes the creation of the earth.
**Wednesday: Green Day.** Symbolizes the creation of the growing plants.
**Thursday: Purple, Violet, Pink (PVP) Day.** Symbolizes the creation of beauty, with flowers blooming.
**Friday: Red Day.** Symbolizes that we are made of passion, love, and pain.
**Saturday: Black Day.** Symbolizes night time, where Dark Matter comes into hand and is like the womb of a mother.
**Eighth Day: The Rainbow Festival.** Celebrated on Sundays from 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., this festival celebrates our differences and diverse backgrounds, sharing a message of love and respect for everyone.

Project Alignment with DRI Goals

This project is a powerful model for urban revitalization, directly aligned with the Downtown Revitalization Initiative's (DRI) goals for urban renewal, economic growth, and climate resilience.

Cultural Destination: The Binghamton Octave Sanctuary has the potential to become a key landmark, attracting "Art Tourism" and creating significant economic and cultural ripple effects.
Public Realm Enhancement & Accessibility: The project will transform a blighted lot into a vibrant public space. All major pathways are designed for **full accessibility**, and trash cans and lighting will be strategically placed under each street light for public convenience and safety.
Climate Resilience & Decarbonization: The project is designed to meet DRI's decarbonization requirements. It incorporates passive design with skylights, and lighting powered by **solar energy** for the summer months and **piezoelectric power** from foot traffic for the winter months. The use of low-carbon, recycled materials and rainwater harvesting for usage in the public bathrooms further demonstrates a commitment to sustainable technology.
Innovative Project Model: This project's most powerful feature is its innovative strategy for funding and construction. You are creating an educational construction model, where **students pay to learn valuable skills while building the project**. This strategy creates an upfront revenue stream, accelerates the timeline, and provides a workforce development program for the community.

Stewardship & Long-Term Strategy

Financial Plan: The project will address the DRI's reimbursement-based model by leveraging the revenue from its educational construction model. The nonprofit will secure a **bridge loan** to provide the necessary upfront capital. To ensure financial prudence, the nonprofit will perform due diligence on loan terms, seeking favorable conditions with no early payment penalties and the ability to freeze the loan during non-construction months like winter. It is crucial that this loan is taken out by the nonprofit, not personally by the artist or team members.
Nonprofit & Fiscal Sponsorship: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit will be established for long-term stewardship and programming. The artist has been accepted as a member of **Fractured Atlas** and is in the final stages of the fiscal sponsorship application process, which will provide the administrative capacity to accept grants, including the DRI funding, while the nonprofit is pending.
Project Team & Expertise: The artist and placemaker is the project lead, bringing expertise in sculpture, natural building techniques, and large-scale installations. The artist has been almost accepted into the **CalEarth Institute apprenticeship program**, with an interview scheduled for Sunday, August 17th. The training program runs from September to November 2025 in California, and CalEarth Institute provides **engineering support** to its graduates. This training will provide crucial skills for confidently designing and overseeing the construction of the SuperAdobe dome and other earth-based elements. To ensure successful execution, the project is building a dedicated team, including prospective collaborations with CalEarth Institute experts, structural engineers, and experienced contractors.
Proactive Security & Safety: The design prioritizes public safety and the longevity of the artwork. The plan includes the use of **durable, vandal-resistant materials**, strategic lighting, and a formal collaboration with the Binghamton Police Department.