The "rough sketch" looks great and what I'd class as a good design for the directory - that would be a big improvement on the current landing page. With more ideas flowing it can be improved upon to make it really shine.

@Otto - The contest idea is a neat one. Open up the challenge to designers and developers to come up with a workable design that best suit the directory and let the games begin.

Just out of curiosity, is the current theme in use available as a starting point for those that wish to tinker with the ideas being suggested or is that a closed project?