Although the current plans for the Rinek Rope complex would be useful for Lafayette College, the unique location and history of the building gives potential for a place of connection. The Rinek could aid in developing the northern Easton area on Bushkill Drive. The opportunity of the space being beneficial to both the Lafayette and Easton communities should be grabbed. The development of the Rinek Rope building into a connecting space would allow the area to flourish with more businesses and tourism. Our proposal to convert the Rinek Rope building into a hotel would fulfill the goals of developing the area.
In the future, the Karl Stirner Arts Trail could be expanded around the area. The way this could be done is by repurposing an existing bridge that connects the Arts Trail to Bushkill Drive. By using a previous Capstone Seminar project from 2017 focusing on this exact idea, a more clear picture of this project can be visualized.
Pictured: Map of Bushkill area. Proposed bridge to connect the Arts Trail with Bushkill Drive.
The implementation of a bridge would be another way for the area to develop. Also, developing the area could eventually connect it to the Silk Mill, a repurposed factory which is now a place to eat, shop, and exercise. Since the Arts Trail connects to the Silk Mill already, connecting the location around the hotel would be a great way for Bushkill Drive and Lafayette to connect to the Silk Mill and Easton.
Another thing that could be researched more is how Lafayette students and faculty and members of the Easton community could be involved in the design and construction of the building. Would civil engineers be involved in the project as a way for them to get a hands-on learning experience? Or could art majors incorporate creative ideas on how to showcase the historical aesthetic of the building, as well as how to connect it to the arts trail?
One of the case studies analyzing adaptive reuse was the Foundational Hotel in Detroit, Michigan. They used many local companies and freelance artists to aid them in bringing the hotel to life. Researching local companies and artists around Easton would be a great way to get the community involved. The Lafayette and Easton communities collaborating on the project itself will signify how the hotel will bring the communities together post-construction, too.
The Tech Clinic report from 2017 that re-envisions the Bushkill Corridor details ideas for the future of Easton north of the Bushkill Creek. They call for underutilized space along Bushkill Drive to be used for community leisure space. Parks, hiking trails, and outdoor attractions should be implemented in the area. They also propose a project similar to the Easton Silk Mill called The Rope Walk, a stretch of businesses inspired by the history of the Rinek Rope complex. Another proposal they bring up is changing the layout of the Bushkill Corridor to make it safer. Bushkill Drive currently is a straightaway that encourages speeding. This discourages pedestrians from using the area. If a bridge is made to connect the Rinek to the Karl Stirner Arts Trail, the area and road will need to be changed for the safety of walking pedestrians. Better sidewalks will need to be put in place, as well as better signage for both drivers and pedestrians.
Pictured: Bushkill Drive as a straightaway encourages speeding and creates an unsafe walking environment.
There are many contexts that this project can fit into. The social context is important to understand because it shows us the historical value of repurposing the building and why a hotel would be beneficial to both communities. The economic context is necessary to form a feasible budget to renovate the building while accommodating its intended use and maintaining its history. The technical context is critical to outline the current state of the building and the specific steps that need to be taken in order to satisfy building regulations and complete the project. A major part of the proposal is centered around the social, economic, and technical contexts by implementing adaptive reuse.
Through evaluating these contexts, a proposal for the Rinek Rope building was made to convert the complex into a hotel, a café, a venue space, and a multipurpose space for Lafayette College and Easton Emergency Services. We hope that our proposal has fully expressed our passion and belief in this idea.
Continue to the bibliography here.