PROJECTS
L
LARGE
CIRCULATE COLUMBUS
CONNECT R+A
AD
RE
The following three projects focus on issues in Columbus, GA, Birmingham, AL, and Atlanta, GA.
Circulate Columbus focuses on the rise of a possible innovation district the city of Columbus, GA wants to incorporate into their downtown core. This project looks at systems such as transportation, anchor institutions, available space, and population growth.
Connect R+A focuses on expanding an existing park system in downtown Birmingham by focusing on the ideology of complete streets and how tree canopies can reduce and deter crime.
ADRE focuses on instituting adaptive re-use principles in lower income areas. Adaptive re-use can be a tool to address issues of new construction, displacement, and sense of place in these neighborhoods.
CIRCULATE COLUMBUS
Transforming the street-scape of Columbus is essential to attracting younger and more skilled workers to the city to stimulate development and economic growth. The proposal which calls for the installation of an easily accessible streetcar system to facilitate the circulation of individuals to various parts of the city. By redoing the existing outdated corridors of downtown Columbus, it would do a lot to create a sense of place in the city. It would encourage the use of its facilities by a diverse array of people, drive growth and ultimately increase livability and quality of life for current and future residents of Columbus.
Throughout this project, I worked with two of my fellow students, Matt Tindal and Caroline Helms. We researched Columbus as well as what makes up a successful innovation district. This project enhanced my graphic design skills and ability as well as team collaboration.
CONNECT R+A
In order for Birmingham to continue to bring young professionals and families into downtown. They need attractions and safe community spaces. Connect R+A hopes to revitalize a district south of downtown Birmingham, AL by instituting complete street principles, increased walk score, an expanded park system, and green safety initiatives.
The area consists of a 17 block radius between 24th Street and 41st street in downtown. This proposed area would connect Railroad Park and the Rotary Trail (two of Birmingham's beautiful parks) with the up in coming community known as Avondale. Theoretically, a complete street initiative in this district will aid city planners to propose this city wide. Another idea my partner (Bentley Logue) and I looked at was crime. We focused on how groomed edges and tree canopies can reduce crime up to 12-15% and make the overall area feel more safe.
AD
RE
Due to costs, building codes, and bureaucratic red tape, many cities choose to build new rather than adaptively re-use older buildings. This outlook struggles to address low income residents, environmental benefits, and maintaining a neighborhoods sense of place and cultural identity. Cities are plagued by displacement and gentrification due to developers building new and forcing those who cannot afford the neighborhood they once called home. Rather than build new, adaptively re-using buildings in struggling communities can act as a catalyst to re-invigorate these areas while preserving current residents.
Moreover, many of these buildings built conventionally have a lifetime double or triple that of new construction. As people continue to move back to city centers, many seek authentic neighborhoods full of attractions and culture. Restored and adapted buildings can help aid a neighborhoods identity and draw in locals and visitors alike.
Proposed Streetscape
Existing Streetscape
WEST SIDE COFFEE
