Fostering Community Rebirth
[re-evaluating homogenous development]
5th Year Architecture Studio ThesisLocation: Middle East, Baltimore, MD
ABSTRACT:Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods. However, recent proposals for development threaten to create highly privatized / sterile / uniform / urban zones. The abandoned blocks, once vibrant, culturally defined, communities, have declined as a result of changes in original cultural bonds and a lack of urban fabric diversity, to support formation of new neighbor relationships. Looking at Nature as an analogy of a defined system, of built in diversity as a means of defense, it becomes visible that in order for complex levels of species to survive there must be DIVERSITY to build resilience.
SITE:
[Chase Street] just one example of many abandoned blocks through-out the city of Baltimore
DESIGN:Historically, the row house block was a viable facilitator of community; where the community bonds were sociological. Today, there is an increasing plague of abandoned city housing. These desolate and vulnerable neighborhoods do not have the element of “community,” left to sustain its vitality. This condition is especially prevalent in Baltimore, MD. Realizing that the homogeneous nature in the design of these original blocks, with singular program of housing, is a large contributing factor to their degradation, it is apparent there is a need for diversity of program.
This proposal suggests a model for redevelopment of the urban row house block. The design maintains the beloved scale of the row house blocks and provides new opportunities for housing and program diversity.
This proposal suggests a model for redevelopment of the urban row house block. The design maintains the beloved scale of the row house blocks and provides new opportunities for housing and program diversity.
Aerial Perspective of Proposed Design
