PROJECT A Unifying Division
LOCATION Baltimore, MD USA
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE 5/10/2016
PROJECT CATEGORY Undergraduate / Upper Level Design
PROJECT TYPE Studio
ENTRANT Andrew Ngure
TEAM MEMBERS Anbar Oreizi Esfahani
Roy Borges
SCHOOL Morgan State University
FACULTY SPONSOR Kathleen Lechleiter, Lecturer / School of Architecture and Planning
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
The objective of this project was to explore contemporary practices of urban redevelopment in order to address the economic, social, and environmental revitalization of the exiting urban environment. By using strategies for
increasing density and diversity, we were to explore design possibilities for the generation of
economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially vibrant urban communities.
Park Heights, a community located in Northwest Baltimore and subject to several urban renewal projects,
is undergoing a significant transformation via the acquisition and demolition of a 62-acre area centered on
Park Heights and Woodland Avenues.This is the site of the project and the task is replacing
blighted blocks with an economically viable development.
The proposed design will be integrated into a new, economically viable mixed-income community
with different affordability types mixed across various building types and located throughout the site.
STUDENT'S STATEMENT
In our redevelopment plan for Park Heights, we focused on creating unity and cohesion as well as improving the quality of life in Park Heights.
We achieved this by making three moves: lessening the impact of Park Heights ave as a divider on the site, creating a more harmonious relationship with the context, and improving community health by introducing urban farming and trade.
Divide and conquer.
We split Park Heights Ave to slow down traffic and create two central spaces to function as a bio-swale and a community space alternating as a farmers market for the farm’s produce respectively. This split is further emphasized through materiality whereby, cobbled brick paving marks the split and denotes an area where the pedestrian comes first. Small business along park heights promises to create vibrant pedestrian life.
Harmonious relationship with context.
The existing Parks Heights was disconnected from its context in typology and street network. Duplexes, row houses and single family homes were not clearly defined and the street network was inconsistent with misaligned streets and awkward dead ends. Our development remedies these ‘opportunities’ by continuing the existing street grid to establish fluency of the urban fabric. Pimlico rd posed perhaps the greatest disconnect and through the continuation of typology and alignment of streets we created a seamless connection.
Increased community health
Our introduction of an urban farm and small retail along Park Heights ave directly tackles the existing food dessert. The live-work units along Park heights offer small retail spaces that are perfect for cafes and small food vendors. To maximize the effect of the urban farm, we placed it adjacent to the existing recreational center and our new senior housing to facilitate a symbiotic relationship relying on an inter-generational approach in the education and application of healthy eating and subsistence farming.
IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS
IMAGE 1:
IMAGE 2:
IMAGE 3:
IMAGE 4:
IMAGE 5:
IMAGE 6:
IMAGE 7:
MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
A Unifying Division
Category
AIA Maryland Student Design Awards > Undergraduate > Undergraduate / Upper Level Design
Share