Landscape Pocket Park · Vincennes, IN

Knox Co. Public Library Pocket Park

Aerial view of the pocket park at the center of campus

Looking from above the intersection — the meeting house and park anchor the campus.

Role

Design · Modeling

Scope

Landscape · Pocket Park

Tools

Rhino 8 · Twinmotion

At the center of the Knox County Library campus was an old parking lot that had turned into a few tables and chairs for reading.

This design turns that unused space into a more welcoming place for people to gather, read, and spend time between the library buildings.

01Problem

The space was used occasionally, but it did not feel connected to the rest of the campus. It had a few scattered tables, but no clear purpose or reason for people to stay.

02Solution

The parking lot becomes a flexible outdoor gathering space centered around a directory that helps guide visitors through campus. Paths inspired by metro lines lead to each library building, while a custom fence, ivy edges, family seating, and ping pong tables make the space feel more comfortable and active. It can work for readings and events, but it is also a place where people can sit, relax, and connect.

03Research

Concept plan V1 — law firm property — Concept plan V1 — early layout studies

Concept plan V2 — law firm property — Concept plan V2 — refined program & planting

Site visit — the full parking-lot space — Site visit: full space

Asset map — community assets around the site in Vincennes — Asset map — churches, parks, vacant lots & landmarks near the site

Process

The challenge with this space was making a small area a multiuse space. After a lot of programming iterations, the 2 versions were presented. The client and I decided to take the layout of version 1 with the diamond shape of version 2.

04Product

Directory — a guide to the other library buildings

Metro lines — colored paths leading to each library building

Ping pong — a quick game while at the library

Looking from the Meeting House across the park