OBJECTIVE:
Bringing Innovation to Rapid City
Strang produced a feasibility study and master plan for the Rapid City Innovation District. This district is currently underutilized yet strategically located between Downtown Rapid City and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT). As Strang was also designing the master plan for the SDSMT campus, it was our goal for any development to happen in parallel with the newly established Innovation District.
The client’s goal was to solidify the desire for Rapid City to support and invite a community of small business owners, entrepreneurs, students, and freelancers. Rapid City would be the place they could bring their ideas to life.
SOLUTION:
Innovation Incubation
The initial phase of the Innovation District master plan project involved visiting numerous areas of the Rapid City metropolitan area and narrowing the scope down to seven sites which were then evaluated in a feasibility study. The resulting master plan recommended an underutilized urban site within the Innovation District.
Based on the master plan and Strang’s experience in business incubators and Innovation Centers, we designed the Ascent Innovation Campus to meet the needs of Rapid City’s Innovation District. Strang developed a deep understanding of local Black Hills culture with a hands-on approach, consistently seeking local input on all aspects of the project. The result is a high-profile design that embraces the client’s vision of a new approach and a bold aggressive plan to improve the city.