Possible Schemes for Location of Architectural Features

• How do you see the two neighborhoods to be connected?  You have described them in words and you have given us maps and photographs, but I still feel that there is a more comprehensive survey/analysis that needs to be done.  IN PROGRESS. I want to analyze the exact purposes of the building what they currently are, what they were when they were originally built to see if those answers lead towards why the area is failing as a whole. I want to compare the building materials, the styles, functions, pros and cons of the buildings via interviews of passerby's, etc.
• Will the neighborhoods be seamlessly joined? Yes, and no. There will be apparent relationships between the site structures and the ones existing in Short North and Campus, but at the same time I envision this area to be new and different from the other two, yet still conscious of its roots.
• Knit together?   I image walking through the site seeing the community center in the distance yet still feeling as if I never left the original neighborhood, but at the same time noticing a difference as I walk through the community center area and onward towards the destination in the other neighborhood. A knit pallet of art, socialization, and fun to represent the Campus area and Short North.
• Brought together with something new and different that speaks to both?  This answer relates  to the 3 questions above. The area will have traits from each question above. The area will be seamlessly joined to function as one place, where at the same time there is envisioned to be aspects from Short North and Campus apparent all throughout the site to complete the connection/transition among the whole site. The community center will be the something new and different aspect on the site. It will function for both neighborhoods, not only in program but also in the architectural look. Tying back to the first question I want to do a survey of building types and materials that are existing in the neighborhoods of Short North and Campus. Understanding the materials would be beneficial to me to incorporate similar ideas into the site.  The one major addition to the site that isn't present in the Short North or Campus is the incorporation of multiple green spaces. There is none of these in the two surrounding areas. With the addition of this into the site it will also add to the new/different aspect that I am going for to rejuvenate the area.
• Also I would like to see possible locations for the architectural intervention discussed in the proposal, with an analysis of what they have to offer as a location for the expression of connection. See Below for two schemes and the ideas that could be represented or obtained by placing the areas in such a way as described.

 

Model of Entry

The model shows entry to the site. The collage of images on the "buildings" symbolize entry and what is missing on the site. The images also show some of the ideas that can be implemented to make the site act as a whole and complete a seamless transition from Point A to Point B.

Reflections and Changes to Program

Several reasons have lead to me realize that a green learning center is not appropriate for my site. My whole idea had been focused on connection/transition between short north and campus. The fore mentioned program does not relate to it and explains why I have been having such a hard time figuring it out. I spent the last week thinking about how to proceed, should I change the idea to fit the program, or change the program to fit the idea. I have given it much thought and have decided to change the program while still holding on to my original ideas that i feel so strongly about. With that in mind I want to create a building on my site that celebrates all the great things about Short North and Campus. Since I feel there is a missing connection/transition to these areas the building needs to address this in some way. At this moment I am thinking along the lines of a community center that will establish a gathering/social place for the folks in the short north and campus. This center may have large exhibit areas to show off work of the locals (i.e. artists and students), a large gathering room for events, perhaps a education aspect where the locals can educate the surrounding communities on what they do and how its done, so that there is a greater appreciation for the work that is displayed. I also thought having a rec center in the community center would be nice. It would give more opportunity for the people from each area to interact with each other in a safe, controlled environment. Also tied in w/ this new program is exterior green space creation and modifications to make the whole site become an attraction to initiate gathering, socialization and fun.