West End Bazaar

from Architectural Design Portfolio - Fall 2023

Summer Path

D+R Studio I | Fall 2023 | Professor: David Yocum

The architectural concept behind this project is deeply rooted in the evocative imagery of Italo Calvino’s fictional city of Chloe, as described in Invisible Cities. Within the streets of West End Bazaar, a diverse multitude of strangers continually traverse their paths, their interactions characterized by an unspoken understanding.

West End Bazaar is a testament to the profound interplay of individuals within the public space through which they pass. This narrative resonates with the urban philosophy articulated by Jane Jacobs, who challenges the conventional perception of strangers as potential threats in her book The Life and Death of American Cities.

Once a thriving center of commerce and community, the West End neighborhood witnessed a drastic change by the construction of the West End Mall, contributing to the destruction of homes and businesses. The mall, which was once a bustling hub, evolved into a white, windowless box, with most of its stores now vacant, casting a shadow over the once lively West End neighborhood. However, the West End Bazaar opens the mall to the air and the public. The vision includes introducing a blend of

Housing and retail spaces, as well as educational spaces, in order to restore the density and vibrancy to the West End neighborhood. Through thoughtful urban planning and community engagement, the West End Bazaar aspires to transform the mall into a catalyst for positive change, breathing new life into a once-thriving community. The project draws attention to the interconnectedness inherent in this urban landscape, highlighting the pivotal roles played by strangers in fostering urban vibrancy.