An ISU architecture student is getting closer to claiming the right of transforming the Ames Power Plant into a landmark.

Arpan Bakshi presented his power plant design, complete with a scale model of the plant, Monday at City Hall before a panel of six judges composed of members of various city managerial offices.

Bakshi is one of five finalists who showed his design to the panel. His design includes giant holographic murals depicting Ames’ history, a brick facade and reflective glass.

He presented his vision of turning the power plant into the defining element of Main Street and Ames.

“People from Iowa State, alumni and families all visit [Main Street] to have an experience of history. We need a singular element that defines this district,” Bakshi said. “Since the power plant is at a major terminus of Main Street, it really needs a transformation from an industrial image to integration with Main Street.”

Bakshi said the current status of the power plant is an industrial-strength eyesore. Visitors to Ames probably have a “confused image of the city,” he said.

“When someone comes into Ames they see this huge power plant and it doesn’t give any justice to the image of Ames,” Bakshi said.

He described the important role the power plant will take once it is transformed.

“We will have parents and teachers coming to Bandshell Park to see the power plant. This is how these kids will learn the history of Ames,” Bakshi said. “It will soon have the dignity of appearance that it has in usability and function.”

Some judges were critical of the proposed $11 million design.

Bill Boon, landmark contest judge, said Bakshi’s proposal was contradictory because it attempted to celebrate Ames’ history by using a made-up past.

“There’s a paradox with the design because it tries to celebrate the history of Ames with a neo-commercial brick facade power plant,” he said.

“However, the plant was never like this, meaning it’s not celebrating a real past.”

Bakshi said the location of the plant was a paradox in itself.

“The people who look at the plant won’t see it as a false image of history, but as a reinforcement of the spirit of downtown,” he said. “We can’t look at architectural honesty because if we did, the plant would have to look completely industrial, which wouldn’t be visually appealing.”

Dave Black, landmark contest judge, also saw flaws with Bakshi’s design.

“I see some schizophrenia when there are bricks on the west side of the building, but none on the east,” he said.

Bakshi said his intention was for the building to be perceived differently from each side.

“Ames is broken into very different districts, such as the university, Main Street and Lincoln Way,” he said.

“The power plant simply responds to the dramatic differences of the city.”

Landmark contest judge Don Pierce said he was impressed by Bakshi’s efforts.

“I like this design because it reflects the culture of Ames, as opposed to the other designs, which only try to make artistic statements,” he said.

“We want this plant to reflect Ames — a Midwestern town with Midwestern values. We’re not Los Angeles or New York.”

The final design will be chosen in July.