There's a forum for Half-Life 1 modding, like modeling, texturing, coding, mapping, etc.
I'm trying to revive the modding community, since all of the links are dead and all of that. The link is here.
If you're interested, you can also translate tutorials for Half-Life 1 and post them on the forum. Those untranslated tutorials can be found at Hl1modding.esy.es . Have fun!
Interesting! Pity that nobody seems interested on your board. But it was well worth a shot.
If you yourself need any tips and tricks visit that page:
Twhl.info
They got everything you're proposing including example maps.
Grool!