ARC 502 FINAL REVIEW Derek DiClemente Residing at the intersection of both urban and residential development, the site performs as a threshold that bridges these two atmospheres. In its immediate context, there are many historical traces that justify its selection; Moorse Square being the most influential. Yet, after years of oppression, the most readily forgotten history was that of the black lives that populated this area and cultivated the spirit of this district. As a community of historically victimized and underserved individuals, the building aims to give haven to those who have been, time and again, challenged by the reality of this social isolation. On a site that initially functioned as a resource for this community, it was important for this building to evoke safety and inclusivity. Being accessible to all, both conceptually as well as functionally, will demonstrate the resilience of these underserved groups, and their opposition to being forgotten. The underlying motivation of this building was never to simply reiterate the programmatic elements into some simple, replicable architectural edifice, but rather to challenge the latent expectation of a social justice center. By deliberately carving away at this perceived block of societal boundaries, the structure begins to inspire connections with its surrounding resources, community and even ones developed within the space; fostering a community of recognition, education and engagement.
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