PLOT II

Dani Bogdanovic And Bushra Fawaz

The urban composition of Plot two is composed of connective neighborhoods through an organic vegetated area integrating cultural and recreational structures. The park within the plot will offer play areas, walking paths, all connected by the Joe Louis greenway that runs along Oakman Blvd. and through the center of the site connecting to paths that lead to the neighborhoods and communities. The screens along the path act as a buffer from Jeffrey’s Road from plot two all the way to plot one, each spaced 6 ft from each other. The area offers a unique environment with an event space and seating, a tree canopy, public market, and a place for children to play. The organic vegetated the site creates comfort and stays true to the origin of the area as it is a highly overgrown and industrial area. This vegetation wraps the event space that leads the visitors ’14 feet deep into the site creating access to the ground floor of the building above. This space creates opportunities for activities year-round, and it will be the perfect place to watch events that would take place while submersing yourselves in the vegetated steps that lead you to the space. Plot two’s focus on culture promotes activity and interaction within our site. Highlighting the identity of this plot while keeping a connection to the Greenway allows it to cater to a wide range of people and all can enjoy the opportunities it provides. people occupying the vegetated steps as they are getting ready for a performance, while others are enjoying the businesses that connect to the floor above.

The screens act as a visual and noise buffer from Jeffrey’s Street and the I-96 with vegetation on the other side. It allows people to safely bike or walk along the street and still have access to cross with the 6 ft breaks between each screen.

The event space accommodates a variety of functions such as acting as a venue for a wedding or a theater. It could even be used for leisure on the days it is not occupied, and people can access the ground level of businesses that connect to the upper level.

The focus of the plot was towards pedestrians and bikers with access to cars where it is needed. Closing off car access from Grand River aside from parking l spots continues the edge effect of the street as welas allowing the connection parks to exist throughout the neighborhoods that connects them to the greenway.

Allowing fourth nature to take over in certain areas like the market and including organic vegetation across our plot links back to the identity of our site Many areas have been abandoned with nature beginning to take its course.

The children’s Park near the neighborhood encourages outdoor play and social interaction with other children. The vegetation surrounding the children’s park keeps them connected to the nature of the site. The Children’s Play Area features a playground with innovative recreation equipment for children of all ages. The design of the play area celebrates the natural environment of the site, with elevation changes that stir imaginations and encourage exploration. It will offer four seasons of play with plenty of seating and shade for parents and adults. A small barrier exists along the Oakman Blvd. edge to assure children’s safety when participating in recreational activities.

An active day at the market where the local artisans and farmers are selling their products to the neighborhood. Aside from the services it offers, it allows for the community to create relationship with one another. The market area will feature 10’ by 10’ huts for local vendors from the neighborhood and other areas of Detroit to sell their products and goods on the weekend. It provides a space for small gatherings, or simply as a spot to stop and enjoy the park under the square pavilions. The market is adjacent to the food hall located on Cloverdale St. and old Burlingame St providing a location for vendors in the winter months.

The programming of the market is arranged in a way that all the huts can accommodate different street market typologies such as local food sales as well as cafes. The modular design allows for the plugged-in huts to adapt to specific hours within the day, much like how the local street markets function according to the density of activity within the area during the day. The location for the market was determined by the whereabouts of a concrete slab that was previously put in the site many years prior to site. The base concrete allows vegetation to grow through the cracked stone creating a space for water to drain in the site.

Rather than erasing what is there, structures that are in good condition will be preserved. Plot two builds on the existing structures that have been abandoned and expanding on some buildings that are in use to work towards adaptive reuse of the site.

Providing a space where culture and business can develop together. Allows people to enjoy their space and build new connections with one another as well as giving the plot a place to establish their own story.