ARCHITECTURE OFTEN SEEKS TO HEAL THE BODY OF THE CITY,
YET FORGETS TO NURTURE ITS MIND AND SOUL
WHAT IS HEALTH AND WELLNESS?
HEALTH AND WELLNESS ARE ABOUT MORE THAN THE ABSENCE OF ILLNESS. THEY REFLECT A CONTINUOUS JOURNEY OF BALANCE, GROWTH, AND FULFILLMENT. WHERE THE MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT ARE INTERCONNECTED. TOGETHER, THEY SHAPE HOW WE LIVE, HOW WE CONNECT WITH OTHERS, AND HOW WE FIND PURPOSE IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
THE FUNDAMENTAL CHALLENGE IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES IS DEFINED BY A DEEP-SEATED SOCIOECONOMIC AND GEOGRAPHIC INEQUITY IN ACCESS TO VITAL RESOURCES. AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, ECOLOGICAL VULNERABILITIES ARE EVIDENT, INCLUDING CHRONIC DROUGHT IN THE WEST AND HEIGHTENED RATES OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE IN NORTHERN, COLDCLIMATE REGIONS. THIS IS COMPOUNDED BY A PROFOUND CRISIS OF HEALTH INSURANCE INEQUITY, WHICH IS HEAVILY CONCENTRATED IN METROPOLITAN AND SOUTHEASTERN AREAS AND DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS BLACK POPULATIONS, CHILDREN, AND SENIORS. FURTHERMORE, THE AMERICAN DIET, CHARACTERIZED BY ITS RELIANCE ON PROCESSED FOODS AND HIGH COST OF FRESH PRODUCE, HAS LED TO ALARMING CONCENTRATIONS OF OBESITY AND DIABETES IN THE SOUTHEAST, AN ISSUE INTENSIFIED BY FAST-FOOD CULTURE AND UNINSURED STATUS.
CHICAGO
IN CHICAGO, THIS SYSTEMIC CRISIS MANIFESTS THROUGH A STARK NORTH-SOUTH DIVISION, WHERE STRUCTURAL DISADVANTAGES CREATE DISTINCT HEALTH BURDENS. THE LOW-INCOME BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE SOUTH SUFFER FROM A LACK OF EMPLOYMENT AND POOR ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD, WHICH CORRELATES WITH HIGHER OBESITY RATES AND A GREATER CONCENTRATION OF FASTFOOD ESTABLISHMENTS. ENVIRONMENTALLY, INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS ACT AS POLLUTION HOTSPOTS WITH HIGH ASTHMA PREVALENCE AND INTENSE HEAT ISLANDS DUE TO LIMITED TREE COVER. STRUCTURALLY, HIGH HOUSEHOLD BURDEN (30-82% OF INCOME) CORRELATES DIRECTLY WITH ELEVATED MENTAL DISTRESS ACROSS DISADVANTAGED AREAS, CREATING A HIGHLY STRESSED URBAN ECOLOGY WHERE POVERTY OVERLAPS WITH PHYSICAL VULNERABILITIES.
FULTON RIVER DISTRICT
THE SPECIFIC SITE IN THE REINVESTED, HIGHINCOME FULTON RIVER DISTRICT REVEALS THAT EVEN ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION FAILS TO INTEGRATE FUNDAMENTAL WELLNESS INFRASTRUCTURE, THEREBY RELEGATING THE PERSON IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT. THE PRIMARY PROBLEM IS A SEVERE SERVICE AND AMENITY GAP, MOST NOTABLY CONCERNING ACCESS TO GENERAL HEALTHCARE. ADDITIONALLY, THE AREA SUFFERS FROM A CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL DEFICIT, CHARACTERIZED BY LOW TREE COVERAGE AND A PRONOUNCED SCARCITY OF ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC GREEN SPACES, DIRECTLY IMPACTING RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COOLING. THIS SPATIAL IMBALANCE IS WORSENED BY THE PRESENCE OF ABANDONED BUILDINGS AND URBAN VOIDS, INDICATING UNDERUTILIZED LAND THAT, IF DEVELOPED, COULD ADDRESS THE NEEDS FOR BOTH GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND POTENTIALLY MORE MIXED-INCOME HOUSING SOLUTIONS IN THIS HIGH-DENSITY CORE. THE LACK OF THESE BASIC AMENITIES CONFIRMS A FAILURE IN URBAN PLANNING TO PRIORITIZE A WALKABLE, GREEN, AND PERSON-CENTERED EXPERIENCE.
STRENGHTS
TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS
ART AND CULTURE PROMOTION
INSECURITY
WEAKNESSES
CLOSENESS DOWNTOWN
VOIDS
URBAN
CLOSENESS TO DOWNTOWN ART EXPRESSION
NO BIKE PATHS
FORMER HISTORIC BUILDINGS
CONNECTION WITH W OHIO ST
UNDERBRIDGE PATHS HOMELESS
METRO AND RAILWAY LINES
LACK GREEN SPACES ABANDONED BUILDINGS
LACK OF PEDESTRIAN FLOW
HEALTHANDFOOD HOUSING&SOCIOECONOMICS
SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS PRESENT
HOUSEHOLD BURDEN IS LOW (7% - 30%)
HIGH PRESENCE OF VACANT BUILDINGS
NOT PART OF SOCIOECONOMICAL LY DISADVANTAGED AREAS
MENTAL DISTRESS RELATIVELY LOW (0% - 19%)
ONE FRESH FOOD OPTION JEWEL OSCO
MIXED ACCESS TO FAST FOOD BOTH HIGH AND
E N I VORNMENT
NOT STRONGLY AFFECTED BY HEAT ISLANDS THANKS TO THE CHICAGO RIVER LOW TREE COVERAGE
HEAT ISLANDS CONCENTRATED IN NEARBY INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS
MEDIUM CONNECTIVITY RAIL STOP WITH 2-5 CONNECTIONS
BUS ROUTES SOME OPERATE DAILY, OTHERS NOT ON WEEKENDS
OBESITY RATES LOS (0% - 31%)
BENEFITED FROM INVESTMENTS IN 2021 AND 2022
EMPLOYEMENT CLUSTERS NEAR SITE BOUNDARIES
19-90% OF POPULATION LACKS VEHICLE ACCESS
MOBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY
LOCAL CONDITIONS AND PATTERNS
PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES CONCENTRATED
EMPLOYEMENT & SER
FULTON RIVER DISTRICT
CHICAGO
U.S.A.
PRECIPITATION PER MONTH
RAIN ACCUMULATION
HUMIDITY PERCENTAGE
PEAK: AUGUST
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE PER MONTH
COMFORT ZONE (20-25 DEGREES)
AVERAGE
AVERAGE HIGH / LOW
COMFORT MONTHS: JUNE, JULY, AUGUST
SUN PATH
WINTER SOLSTICE
SUMMER SOLSTICE
SUMMER SOLSTICE
WINTER SOLSTICE
WIND WHEEL
NORTH
DOMINANT WINDS FROM NORTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST
DOMINANT WIND
TRANSPORT
BYCICLE PARKING
BUS STOP
BUS LINES
METRO STATION
METRO LINES
NATURAL CONSTRAINTS
PUBLIC GREEN SPACE
WATER
URBAN VOIDS
ROAD
BUILDING HEIGHT
ARCHITECTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL OVERVIEW OF THE BLOCK
A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE EXISTING URBAN FABRIC, THE BLOCK’S CURRENT STATE IS A PALIMPSEST OF LAYERED HISTORIES AND VARIED PROGRAMS. TO SIMPLY DISREGARD THIS ASSEMBLAGE AND PROCEED WITH DEMOLITION RISKS ERASING THE VERNACULAR MEMORY AND STRUCTURAL POTENTIAL EMBEDDED WITHIN THE EXISTING FORMS. OUR APPROACH BEGINS BY METICULOUSLY MAPPING THE ARCHITECTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ASSETS OF EACH BUILDING. THIS DETAILED SURVEY IS NOT JUST AN INVENTORY OF MATERIALS AND PROGRAMS, BUT A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF WHICH ELEMENTS HOLD SOCIOCULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE AND STRUCTURAL ADAPTABILITY.
1. FORMER SALVATION ARMY BUILDING
LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF N UNION AVENUE AND W GRAND AVENUE, THE FORMER SALVATION ARMY FACILITY IS A MID-CENTURY INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING HISTORICALLY DEDICATED TO SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. ITS BRICK FAÇADE, SIMPLE STRUCTURAL RHYTHM, AND MODEST SCALE REFLECT ITS FUNCTIONAL ORIGINS, SERVING AS A COMMUNITY ANCHOR FOR DECADES. THE STRUCTURE MAINTAINS A CLEAR STREET PRESENCE AND PRESERVES AN IMPORTANT SOCIAL LEGACY WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
2. NORCON INC (GENERAL CONTRACTOR)
NORCON IS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT FIRM WHOSE BUILDING FUNCTIONS MAINLY AS OFFICE SPACE WITH LIMITED PUBLIC INTERACTION. WHILE IT CONTRIBUTES TO LOCAL BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IT HOLDS NO SIGNIFICANT ARCHITECTURAL OR COMMUNITY VALUE, AND ITS FOOTPRINT REDUCES OPENNESS WITHIN THE BLOCK, MAKING IT A CANDIDATE FOR RECONSIDERATION WITHIN THE PROJECT’S VISION FOR GREATER CONNECTIVITY AND GREEN SPACE.
2.1. CASA JORGE CHICAGO (COUNTRY HOUSE)
CASA JORGE CHICAGO IS A MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITHIN THE RIVER WEST / FULTON RIVER DISTRICT. AS A PRIVATE HOUSING PROPERTY WITH NO COMMERCIAL OR PUBLIC FUNCTIONS, IT CONTRIBUTES LITTLE STREET-LEVEL ACTIVITY AND MAINTAINS A RELATIVELY INACTIVE FAÇADE. WITHIN THE PROJECT CONTEXT, ITS LIMITED PUBLIC VALUE MAKES IT SUITABLE FOR REINTERPRETATION OR REPLACEMENT, ALLOWING THE SITE TO INCORPORATE MORE GREEN SPACE, IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN FLOW, AND REINFORCE VISUAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE KEY PRESERVED BUILDINGS.
2.2. ORDER EXPRESS (MONEY TRANSFER SERVICE)
IS A FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON MONEY TRANSFERS, BILL PAYMENTS, AND RELATED CUSTOMER OPERATIONS. ITS LOCATION AT 685 W OHIO ST FUNCTIONS AS A SMALL COMMERCIAL OFFICE WITH LIMITED ACTIVITY TOWARD THE PUBLIC REALM. THE BUILDING ITSELF OFFERS MINIMAL URBAN CONTRIBUTION, WITH A CLOSED FAÇADE AND LOW PEDESTRIAN ENGAGEMENT. WITHIN THE BLOCK, ITS LIMITED SPATIAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT MAKES IT A CANDIDATE FOR RECONFIGURATION, ENABLING THE SITE TO INCORPORATE MORE ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC SPACE, IMPROVE CIRCULATION, AND REINFORCE VISUAL AND FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE KEY PRESERVED BUILDINGS.
3. WAREHOUSE
THE WAREHOUSE NEXT TO THE FORMER REHABILITATION BUILDING IS A BASIC INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE, LIKELY MASONRY OR METAL, ORIGINALLY USED FOR STORAGE OR LIGHT MANUFACTURING. IT IS CURRENTLY UNDERUSED, WITH MINIMAL ACTIVITY, BUT ITS OPEN FLOOR PLAN MAKES IT HIGHLY ADAPTABLE FOR FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT.
4. FORMER REHABILITATION BUIDLING
IS A MULTI-STORY BRICK BUILDING CHARACTERIZED BY REPETITIVE VERTICAL BAYS AND STRUCTURAL BRICK PILASTERS ACROSS ALL FAÇADES. ITS ROBUST INDUSTRIAL CHARACTER, GENEROUS FLOORPLATES, AND LARGE WINDOWS REFLECT ITS ORIGINAL PROGRAM OF CARE AND RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT. AS ONE OF THE MOST ARCHITECTURALLY DEFINED STRUCTURES ON THE BLOCK.
5. OLD THEATER
THE OLD THEATER WITHIN THE FORMER REHABILITATION BUILDING IS A SMALL, OUTDATED AUDITORIUM THAT ONCE SERVED FOR GROUP ACTIVITIES, MEETINGS, AND THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS. ITS STRUCTURE IS SIMPLE, WITH A RECTANGULAR LAYOUT, BASIC SEATING, AND MINIMAL ACOUSTIC TREATMENT. ALTHOUGH NO LONGER IN USE, THE SPACE RETAINS POTENTIAL DUE TO ITS CLEAR SPAN, HIGH CEILING, AND CULTURAL VALUE, OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRAM VALUE SUCH AS COMMUNITY EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, OR SHARED SPACES.
6. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
IT IS PRIMARILY A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, COMPOSED OF MULTIPLE HOUSING UNITS AND DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY.
ALTHOUGH IT HAS AT TIMES SMALL OFFICES OR STUDIOS, ITS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY IS MINIMAL AND IT DOES NOT GENERATE AN ACTIVE STREET FRONTAGE. THE BUILDING CONTRIBUTES TO RESIDENTIAL DENSITY BUT HAS A LIMITED IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC LIFE OF THE AREA, MAKING IT A DISCREET PRESENCE WITHIN THE BLOCK AND A SITE WITH POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE REPROGRAMMING TO IMPROVE ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEDESTRIAN AND THE SURROUNDING URBAN FABRIC.
7. PHOTOGRAPHY
JIMMY FISHBEIN PHOTOGRAPHY IS A PROFESSIONAL CHICAGO-BASED STUDIO SPECIALIZING IN EDITORIAL, CORPORATE, AND PORTRAIT WORK. LED BY PHOTOGRAPHER JIMMY FISHBEIN, WHOSE CLIENTS INCLUDE MAJOR PUBLICATIONS LIKE TIME, NEWSWEEK, AND FORBES. THE STUDIO COMBINES ARTISTIC AND COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION, OFFERING PORTRAITURE, CORPORATE PHOTOGRAPHY, AND DOCUMENTARY-STYLE PROJECTS TIED TO CHICAGO’S CULTURAL AND SOCIAL LANDSCAPE.
7.1. LUXURY SPA
THE LUXURY SPA LOCATED NEXT TO THE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO OFFERS A RANGE OF HIGH-END WELLNESS SERVICES, INCLUDING PERSONALIZED SKINCARE TREATMENTS, MASSAGE THERAPY, AND RELAXATION AMENITIES DESIGNED TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING. ITS INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT IS CRAFTED FOR COMFORT, COMBINING NATURAL MATERIALS, SOFT LIGHTING, AND A CALM ATMOSPHERE THAT CONTRASTS WITH THE INDUSTRIAL SURROUNDINGS OF THE BLOCK. SERVING LOCAL RESIDENTS AND NEARBY PROFESSIONALS, THE SPA CONTRIBUTES TO THE AREA’S GROWING MIX OF LIFESTYLE-FOCUSED SERVICES.
REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTING STRUCTURES
THE INTERVENTION EMPLOYS A STRATEGY OF SELECTIVE SUBTRACTION, REMOVING NON-CONTRIBUTING INFILL STRUCTURES TO CONSOLIDATE THE ENTIRE EXPANDED PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT PREVIOUSLY HOUSED IN THE ELIMINATED BUILDINGS, WITHIN THE PRESERVED HERITAGE SHELLS OF THE SALVATION ARMY AND REHABILITATION BUILDINGS. THIS PIVOTAL ACTION LIBERATES THE GROUND PLANE, CREATING A CONTINUOUS OPEN SPACE THAT EFFECTIVELY BREAKS THE EXISTING “FORTRESS” TYPOLOGY. THE RESULTING LANDSCAPE INTRODUCES CROSS-BLOCK PERMEABILITY AND FLUID PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION, SIMULTANEOUSLY CONCENTRATING DENSITY IN THE HISTORIC ANCHORS WHILE WEAVING THE PRESERVED VERNACULAR BUSINESSES INTO A COHESIVE, NATURE-INTEGRATED URBAN FABRIC. KEY
OBSTRUCTING INFRASTRUCTURE
CONTROLLED DEMOLITION
INTEGRATION
COLLECTION & SORTING
DEMOLISHED MATERIAL CYCLE
REMOVE REINFORCEMENT
THE FOUNDATIONAL STRATEGY OF RETAINING A SELECT GROUP OF STRUCTURES WAS CENTRAL TO THE ATLR HUB PROJECT’S STRATEGY, MOVING BEYOND SIMPLE PRESERVATION TO LEVERAGE THE INHERENT VALUE OF THE BLOCK’S MOST SIGNIFICANT ARCHITECTURAL ASSETS. THE CHOSEN BUILDINGS WERE IDENTIFIED BASED ON A MULTIFACETED CRITERIA: STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, SOCIOCULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER, AND THEIR POTENTIAL TO FUNCTIONALLY ANCHOR THE NEW PROGRAM.
THE RETENTION OF THIS STRUCTURE ALIGNS WITH OUR ECOLOGICAL COMMITMENT TO MINIMIZE DEMOLITION. WHILE OTHER ADJACENT BUILDINGS WERE REMOVED FOR HIGHER PROGRAMMATIC VALUE, THIS STRUCTURE WAS STRATEGICALLY CHOSEN TO HOUSE THE LUXURY SPA AND PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO. THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY ADDS CRITICAL AMENITY VALUE, AS THE SPA OFFERS HIGH-END WELLNESS SERVICES (INCLUDING SKINCARE AND MASSAGE THERAPY) SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING OF RESIDENTS AND LOCAL PROFESSIONALS, CONTRIBUTING DIRECTLY TO THE CORE GOALS OF THE ATLR HUB PROJECT.
1. FORMER SALVATION ARMY BUILDING
THE DECISION TO RETAIN AND INTEGRATE THE FORMER SALVATION ARMY BUILDING INTO THE ATLR HUB PROJECT WAS MULTIFACETED, STEMMING FROM A STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF ITS INTRINSIC VALUE AND POTENTIAL ITS ROBUST MID-CENTURY INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE, WHICH OFFERED SIGNIFICANT FLEXIBILITY FOR ADAPTIVE REUSE BUILDING HOLDS
THE NEIGHBORHOOD, RECOGNIZED FOR ITS HISTORICAL DEDICATION TO SOCIAL ASSISTANCE AND STRONG ITS PRESERVATION REFLECTS A COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING THE URBAN FABRIC’S SOCIAL LEGACY, ALIGNING WITH THE INTERESTS OF OUR ADVOCATED FOR ITS CONSERVATION.
4. FORMER REHABILITATION BUIDLING
THIS MULTI-STORY BRICK BUILDING WAS RETAINED DUE TO ITS ROBUST INDUSTRIAL CHARACTER AND STATUS AS ONE OF THE BLOCK’S MOST ARCHITECTURALLY DEFINED STRUCTURES. THE DECISION WAS ANCHORED IN ITS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND ITS INHERENT VERTICALITY, WHICH OFFERED SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL FOR ARCHITECTURAL REIMAGINATION. THE RENOVATION INTO THE NEW RESIDENTIAL BLOCK INVOLVED A SIGNIFICANT FAÇADE REDESIGN, MAINTAINING HISTORICAL ELEMENTS WHILE INCORPORATING LARGER WINDOWS TO ACCENTUATE ITS VERTICALITY.
ARTISTS
SPATIAL FLEXIBILITY & PERMEABILITY
ADAPTABLE ENVIRONMENTS THAT FOSTER CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY INTERACTION, ALLOWING THEM TO SEAMLESSLY TRANSITION
LOCAL
URBAN INTEGRATION & RESTORATION
THE SITE MUST FUNCTION AS A PERMEABLE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING URBAN FABRIC, OFFERING EFFICIENT CIRCULATION FOR DAILY COMMUTERS WHILE PROVIDING RESTORATIVE, ACOUSTIC BUFFERS THAT MITIGATE CITY NOISE FOR MOMENTS OF PAUSE
TOURISTS
CONNECTION TO THE CITY
INTERFACE BETWEEN THE VISITOR AND THE CITY. THE PROGRAM NEEDS TO FACILITATE PASSIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCAL ACTIVITY, ALLOWING GUESTS TO OBSERVE AND GRADUALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE SITE’S SOCIAL RHYTHM WITHOUT BARRIERS.
CHILDREN
PROTECTED ENCLOSURE & TACTILE ENGAGEMENT
THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN MUST PRIORITIZE SAFETY THROUGH DEFINED BOUNDARIES WITHOUT CREATING VISUAL BARRIERS. THE SPACE NEEDS TO OFFER DIVERSE TOPOGRAPHICAL AND TEXTURAL VARIATIONS TO STIMULATE MOTOR SKILLS AND SENSORY EXPLORATION AT A HUMAN SCALE.
ARTIST LOCAL TURIST KIDS
PARKS & GARDENS
PARKS & GARDENS
PARKS & GARDENS
PARKS & GARDENS
PEDESTRIAN RAMP
PEDESTRIAN RAMP
LIBRARY
LIBRARY
WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
CULTURAL CINEMA
CULTURAL CINEMA
COWORKING STUDIO
COWORKING STUDIO
GYMS
GYMS
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
SNACKBAR
SNACKBAR
COFFEE SHOP
COFFEE SHOP
ROOMS
ROOMS
VESTIBULES & CIRCULATIONS
VESTIBULES & CIRCULATIONS
GREEN PAVILION
GREEN PAVILION
SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
ART STUDIOS
ART STUDIOS
AMPHITHEATER
AMPHITHEATER RECREATION
SPA
RECREATION
SPA
LIVE MUSIC BAR
LIVE MUSIC BAR
BOUTIQUE MARKET
BOUTIQUE MARKET
COMMON AREAS
COMMON AREAS
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
LOBBIES & RECEPTIONS
LOBBIES & RECEPTIONS
PARKS & GARDENS
PARKS & GARDENS
PARKS & GARDENS
PEDESTRIAN RAMP
PARKS & GARDENS
PEDESTRIAN RAMP
PEDESTRIAN RAMP
PEDESTRIAN RAMP
LIBRARY
LIBRARY
WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
PEDESTRIAN RAMP
LIBRARY
LIBRARY WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
CULTURAL CINEMA
PEDESTRIAN RAMP WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
CULTURAL CINEMA
CULTURAL CINEMA
RESTAURANT
CULTURAL CINEMA
GYMS
CULTURAL CINEMA GYMS
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
SNACKBAR
SNACKBAR
COFFEE SHOP
COFFEE SHOP
VESTIBULES & CIRCULATIONS
VESTIBULES & CIRCULATIONS
GREEN PAVILION
GREEN PAVILION
SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
AMPHITHEATER
AMPHITHEATER
LIVE MUSIC BAR
LIVE MUSIC BAR
BOUTIQUE MARKET
BOUTIQUE MARKET
COMMON AREAS
COMMON AREAS
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
LOBBIES & RECEPTIONS
LOBBIES & RECEPTIONS
CULTURAL CINEMA
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
SNACKBAR
SNACKBAR COFFEE SHOP
COFFEE SHOP
VESTIBULES & CIRCULATIONS
VESTIBULES & CIRCULATIONS
GREEN PAVILION
GREEN PAVILION
SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
AMPHITHEATER
AMPHITHEATER
LIVE MUSIC BAR
RESTAURANT
SNACKBAR
SNACKBAR
COFFEE SHOP
COFFEE SHOP
VESTIBULES & CIRCULATIONS
VESTIBULES & CIRCULATIONS
GREEN PAVILION
GREEN PAVILION
SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
AMPHITHEATER
AMPHITHEATER LIVE MUSIC
LIVE MUSIC BAR
BAR COMMON AREAS
COMMON AREAS
LIVE MUSIC BAR
BOUTIQUE MARKET
COMMON AREAS
BOUTIQUE MARKET
COMMON AREAS
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
LOBBIES & RECEPTIONS ROOMS
LOBBIES & RECEPTIONS
ROOMS
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
CHAPTER 2
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
VISION
FROM VISION TO SITE
CONCEPT
THE PROJECT REACTIVATES A DORMANT AREA IN CHICAGO’S FULTON DISTRICT BY TRANSFORMING EXISTING BUILDINGS INTO A VIBRANT HUB OF ART, CULTURE, HEALTH, AND COMMUNITY. THE GROUND FLOOR ACTS AS AN OPEN EXTENSION OF THE CITY, HOSTING GALLERIES, MARKETS, AND PERFORMANCES THAT INVITE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. AT ITS CORE, A CENTRAL GREEN NUCLEUS WEAVES TOGETHER GARDENS AND TREE LINED CORRIDORS, SEAMLESSLY CONNECTING TO THE URBAN FABRIC.
THE PROPOSAL ENVISIONS A HYBRID ECOSYSTEM OF HOUSING, HOSPITALITY, AND PUBLIC SPACE CENTERED ON HOLISTIC WELL BEING. A MIX OF HOTEL ROOMS, APARTMENTS, AND CO LIVING UNITS SHARE COMMUNAL AMENITIES THAT PROMOTE INTERACTION, WELLNESS, AND RECREATION ACROSS ALL LEVELS. THE COMBINATION OF CO LIVING, RESIDENTIAL, AND HOTEL PROGRAMS CREATES AN INTERNAL ECONOMIC BALANCE THAT HELPS SUBSIDIZE HOUSING COSTS FOR RESIDENT ARTISTS.
BY ESTABLISHING CHICAGO’S MISSING ART DISTRICT, THE PROJECT FOSTERS CREATIVITY, TOURISM, AND A DEEP SENSE OF BELONGING WHILE REDEFINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH, ART, AND URBAN LIFE.
COMMUNITY CORRIDORS
COMMUNITY AREAS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT
HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIRS
MUSIC-THERAPY
INTEGRATIONAL MEETING SPACES
INCLUSIVE DESIGN TRANSPARENCY AND ENGAGEMENT
NEIGHBORHOOD CULTURAL ACTIVATION
LIVE EVENT PLATFORMS
BIOPHILIC MANIA WALKING CITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AROMATHERAPIC GARDENS
PROTECTED AND CONTINUOUS BIKE LINES
URBAN ROOFTOP GARDENS
VERTICAL AQUAPONIC
BIOPHILIC COMMERCIAL INTERIORS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
MODULAR MICROHOUSING
COMMUNITY KITCHENS
ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
GREEN CORRIDORS
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
MICRO URBAN NETWORK SPACES
FLEXIBLE AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL PUBLIC SPACES
MIX PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY BUILDINGS
SPACES FOR LOCAL PRODUCTS
REVITALIZATION OF GHOST BUILDINGS
MANIFESTO INTO ACTION
ATLR HUB
PHASE 1
SITE CONTEXT & ANALYSIS
PHASE 2
BUILDING RETENTION & PROGRAM CONSOLIDATION
PHASE 3
GROUND PLANE LIBERATION
PHASE 4
GEOMETRY OF PUBLIC SPACE
PHASE 5
ESTABLISHING SITE PERMEABILITY
CAMDEN MARKET
LONDON, UK
PROGRAM: MIXED-USE COMMERCIAL AND CULTURAL DISTRICT WITH MARKETS, RETAIL, FOOD, AND CREATIVE SPACES.
MATERIALITY: BRICK, STEEL, GLASS, AND TIMBER.
PRESERVING INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE.
STRUCTURE: ADAPTED STEEL AND BRICK WAREHOUSES WITH LIGHTWEIGHT ADDITIONS.
SPATIAL LOGIC: NETWORK OF COURTYARDS AND NARROW PATHS ENCOURAGING EXPLORATION AND INFORMAL ENCOUNTERS.
CONTEXT: HISTORIC CANALSIDE SITE
REACTIVATED AS A CREATIVE URBAN DESTINATION INTEGRATING CULTURE AND COMMERCE.
CASE STUDIES
PARKS HORSELAND
100 ARCHITECTS
SHANGHAI, CHINA
PROGRAM: PUBLIC PLAYGROUND AND PARK PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SOCIAL INTERACTION.
MATERIALITY: RUBBER FLOORING, PAINTED STEEL, AND FIBERGLASS — COLORFUL AND DURABLE OUTDOOR MATERIALS.
STRUCTURE: MODULAR STEEL FRAMES AND SURFACE INSTALLATIONS FORMING CONTINUOUS PLAY TOPOGRAPHY.
SPATIAL LOGIC: LOOPED CIRCULATION AND OVERLAPPING FUNCTIONS ENCOURAGE PLAY AND MOVEMENT.
CONTEXT: LOCATED IN DENSE URBAN SURROUNDINGS, TRANSFORMING RESIDUAL LAND INTO A VIBRANT PUBLIC SPACE FOR WELLNESS.
CULTURAL CENTER
SESC OF POMPÉIA
LINA BO BARDI
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL
PROGRAM: CULTURAL AND SPORTS COMPLEX WITH EXHIBITION HALLS, WORKSHOPS, THEATERS, AND RECREATIONAL SPACES.
MATERIALITY: EXPOSED CONCRETE, BRICK,
RECLAIMED WOOD, RAW AND TACTILE SURFACES.
STRUCTURE: REINFORCED CONCRETE VOLUMES LINKED BY AERIAL BRIDGES; ADAPTIVE REUSE OF A FORMER FACTORY.
SPATIAL LOGIC: CONTRASTING SOLID BLOCKS AND OPEN VOIDS; BRIDGES AND PATIOS ENCOURAGE CIRCULATION AND VISUAL CONNECTION.
CONTEXT: REVITALIZES AN INDUSTRIAL SITE INTO A SOCIAL HUB PROMOTING CULTURE, COMMUNITY, AND WELL-BEING.
SUNKEN GARDEN
ISAMU NOGUCHI
NEW YORK, USA
PROGRAM: SCULPTURAL PUBLIC PLAZA
DESIGNED FOR CONTEMPLATION AND PAUSE
WITHIN AN OFFICE COMPLEX.
MATERIALITY: GRANITE, RIVER STONES, WATER, AND CONCRETE. EMPHASIZING NATURAL SIMPLICITY.
STRUCTURE: LAYERED STONE TERRACES AND SHALLOW POOLS; GRAVITY-FED WATER SYSTEM.
SPATIAL LOGIC: SUNKEN LAYOUT CREATES
SEPARATION FROM STREET NOISE; FRAMES
INTROSPECTIVE AND SENSORY EXPERIENCE.
CONTEXT: INSERTED IN DENSE MIDTOWN
MANHATTAN, OFFERING A CALM, MEDITATIVE LANDSCAPE AMID CORPORATE SURROUNDINGS.
