Blowing Rock Art and History Museum members who attended the annual members’ meeting last week were treated to a spectacular 3-D view of the revised exterior of the structure. This was the first public showing of a media presentation that used computer animation to show the three-story building from a bird’s-eye view.
“It was so exciting –and really quite amazing – to see this beautiful building as if it already existed,” said Janet Wilson, long-time BRAHM member who attended the meeting. “I especially loved the use of native stone and wood on the building, which will fit so perfectly with the other signature buildings in the village.”
The architects, Steven Carter Price and CJMW of Greensboro, presented the “fly around” of the planned museum structure and the town’s proposed parking facility. All four directional views were shown, with architectural elements and landscaping components represented, as well as the location of Edgewood Cottage and Rumple Memorial Presbyterian in relation to the building.
The building features stylish porticos and spacious galleries, light-filled windows and a cupola on the roof. The animation showed that the grounds would be mostly green space with gardens and walkways. One of the most pleasing features noted by the membership was that visitors would enter the museum through a covered walkway from the sidewalk or from the Town’s proposed adjacent parking facility.
“Now that I have seen what we are going to enjoy on Main Street come to life, I am even more anxious to see construction get started so we can enjoy the presence of this wonderful addition to the village as soon as possible,” Mrs. Wilson said.
Boone Construction Company has been selected as general contractor for the building and President Steve Silver also attended the meeting. Silver, who is a native of the area, founded BCC in 1989 and the company has experience in all types of construction – commercial construction, luxury homes, condominiums and even bridge building. Projects that have benefited from their experience include the Elk River Club’s signature clubhouse, Westglow Spa and Resort, Diamond Creek’s clubhouse, Mountain Community Bank, multiple condos at Hound Ears and Southmarke in Blowing Rock. Most recently, BCC completed the complex restoration and renovation of Edgewood Cottage. Ron Funk, the company’s superintendent, also was in attendance.
Welborn Alexander, BRAHM’s president of the Board of Trustees said the organization is extremely pleased to be partnering with BCC on the building construction. “They have a sterling reputation in this community for both excellence in workmanship and for the quality of suppliers and partners they engage in their projects,” he said.