MAGDALENA A R AV E N A
NO VACANCY - UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROJECT, SPRING 2015
PHOTOMONTAGE OF ENVISIONED PEDESTRIAN ENTRYWAY FROM HALSTED ST.
BEFORE PICTURE - TAKEN FROM HALSTED ST.
NO VACANCY: REVITALIZATION OF ENGLEWOOD, CHICAGO UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROJECT, SPRING 2015 Global urban population is estimated to surpass six billion by 2050, so major urban cities have begun focusing their efforts on revitalizing their disinvested inner-city neighborhoods. Very often, the main priority of city officials and developers is profit, which, when done without a deeper motive, leads to inequitable development and gentrification. Recently, however, there has been a growing trend to involve communities in revitalization efforts and offer greater opportunities for lower-income residents to stay in their long-time homes. As one of the many industrial innercity neighborhoods around the nation, Englewood, Chicago has been affected by disinvestment for the past five decades, but plans for reinvestment have recently started rolling. Unlike many similar neighborhoods, Englewood has a significant amount of community support and involvement, characteristics that have been shown to lead to a reduced number of displaced residents and greater retention of community identity in the revitalization process. This project aims to provide a series of design concepts for the neighborhood’s different conditions that echo the wants and needs of the community, with consideration of the current redevelopment plans of Englewood and the City of Chicago.
NO VACANCY - UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROJECT, SPRING 2015
OBJECTIVES + GOAL
SHIFT PUBLIC 1SHIFT PERSPECTIVE Show why gentrification of struggling innercity neighborhoods is a problem.
ANALYZE
UNCOVER
DESIGN
UNCOVER THE 4 DESIGN TO SITE 2 ANALYZE 3 POSITIVES REVITALIZE CONDITIONS Study the severity of disinvestment that Englewood has been affected by.
Expose the opportunities and revealuate constraints that could contribute to achieving a successful revitalization.
Create framework plan and site designs that respond to opportunities and constraints.
THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO CATALYZE THE EQUITABLE REVITALIZATION OF ENGLEWOOD AND SIMILAR INNER-CITY NEIGHBORHOODS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED SOLUTIONS THAT CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS, STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY IDENTITY AND ENTICE INVESTMENT, BOTH MONETARY AND PERSONAL.
SYMPTOMS/CAUSES OF GENTRIFICATION HIGH PROPORTION OF RENTERS
LOCATED IN REGION W/ INCREASED CONGESTION LOW HOUSING VALUES, INCLUDING STOCK WITH ARCHITECTURAL MERIT
EASE OF ACCESS TO JOBS CENTERS (ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION)
OPPORTUNITIES + CONSTRAINTS
Active and engaged resident association
Vehicular and alternative transportation connections to Loop
Significant number ofandoned cityowned vacant lots
Big-box retailer moving in with plans for incubation center
NO VACANCY - UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROJECT, SPRING 2015
VISION This project aims to complement published redevelopment plans as they align with the wants and needs expressed by the Resident Association of Greater Englewood, as shown in their latest design charrette with the IIT Institute of Design and a personal interview with the R.A.G.E. founder and president, as well as life-long resident of Englewood, Asiaha Butler. The plans analyzed are:
The Chicago Cultural Plan 2012 New ERA Trail Community Vision Plan Green Healthy Neighborhoods Plan School Repurpose Co-Design
The key themes that where embraced by this project are:
URBAN AGRICULTURE – This project presents urban agriculture in various forms such that they will function as productive, educational and sustainable so as to establish Englewood as a center for sustainability.
HOUSING PRESERVATION AND GROWTH – Due to the lack of housing and low median income, it is imperative to not only provide housing options, but to also preserve the architecture that remains, for both historical and practical value.
CULTURE AND ARTS – Promoting culture and arts within Englewood neighborhood is critical to foster community identity and ownership. This project aims to do so with the encouragement of public displays of art as well as historical references throughout the design.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND JOB CREATION – Despite its many struggles, Englewood has harbored many successful entrepreneurs that have created nation-wide companies such as Johnson Products, Harold’s Chicken, and Luster’s Products. Integrating incubation centers and retail spaces for small businesses is a major part of this project.
NO VACANCY - UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROJECT, SPRING 2015
DIAGRAMS
VEGETATION AU TO M O BI L E BI C YC L E PE D E ST RI A N
CIRCULATION WHOLE FOODS M I XE D U SE RE S. I N C U BATO RS RE TA I L /F O O D
E XC LU SI V E U RBA N AG A L F RE SC O
BUILDINGS
SITE OVERVIEW
CONCEPTUAL RESIDENCE DESIGN ITERATIONS - MEYER RESIDENCE, SUMMER 2015
PROFESSIONAL WORK: CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES TO CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS WILSON DESIGN STUDIO & INDIVIDUAL FREELANCE, WINTER-SUMMER 2015 The following are deliverables I have created most recently at Wilson Design Studio, or as a freelance residential landscape designer (left). During my time with WDS, I was challenged mainly with technical tasks surveying and drafting base plans, setting up preliminary and construction document sets, creating irrigation plans, and most recently, conceptual and construction document site details. Ultimately, I learned to work through the complete design and construction documentation process. The following spreads show my ability to work everything from rough hand-rendered drafts, to complex irrigation plans, to construction document details.
IRRIGATION DESIGN, CD LEVEL - WILSON DESIGN STUDIO, WINTER 2015
CONCEPTUAL EXHIBIT WILSON DESIGN STUDIO, SUMMER 2015
CONSTRUCTION DETAIL - WILSON DESIGN STUDIO, SUMMER 2015
CONSTRUCTION DETAIL WILSON DESIGN STUDIO, SUMMER 2015