Redstone Coke Ovens
Once a national keystone of the industrial revolution, the 139 remaining coke ovens of Redstone, Colorado faced an uncertain future. A small group of concerned residents saw an opportunity for a grassroots design process, facilitating sustainable site design for what many feared would be lost forever. The heart and soul of this small, colorful Colorado town is still centered on the ruins of the remaining 139 coke ovens. Withstanding the test of time, residents realized the importance of the preservation of the coke ovens with Redstone successfully becoming a member of the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and protected by the Deed of Preservation and Conservation Easement since 2004. On axis of the town of Redstone, several coke ovens have been fully restored, while moving slowly north and south, the remaining ovens have been stabilized, appearing to decay back to their present day state. With a strong understanding the eclectic nature of Redstone, Colorado and the importance of preserved open space, a site plan was created that speaks directly to the socioeconomic and environmental context of Redstone, both past and present. One theme that prevailed over all others as the design dialogue progressed was the ‘essence of time.’ Time, whether it be in the now or reverent of the past, is evident throughout the project. As J.B. Jackson expressed in The Necessity for Ruins, “ruins provide the incentive for restoration” and it is this sense of ruins whose poetics are rooted in the site design. By accepting the natural degradation of this regional asset already underway from years of weathering and neglect, it was decided that the ‘essence of time’ would take on a physical form within the coke ovens’ structures themselves. Allowing for this decay or deconstruction of the historic built form, the landscape architect unveils a design that celebrates successional degradation of the site towards its periphery, authentically reflecting a rich and dynamic history while preserving it for generations to come. Interpretative elements were created to enhance the legibility of the design and restorative process, highlighting key moments of Redstone’s history and cultural legacy. These elements are core components of an on-going educational outreach program regarding the importance of these invaluable, yet rapidly vanishing, resources. The wayfinding and interpretive elements offer insight into the coke ovens’ past through interpretation and convey a message to visitors, completing the narrative of historical legacy. Playing on cues from past successes, the program encapsulates the romance of an industrial relic while employing subtle yet necessary design moves. Signage clearly indicates not only the historic context but, in some instances, the material characteristics or significance. These iconic graphic design elements blend, harmoniously into the background, conveying their message with powerful yet subdued visual cues. Sharing these important messages creates an avenue to and a future of on-going coke ovens restoration and we suggest that these messages are almost as important as the authentic preservation of the site, site features and ovens themselves. The funding provided by this competition could go to funding the final site improvements, construction document refinements and/or preserving other coke ovens in Colorado. These precious historical remnants are in danger of being lost throughout the state.
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