Arts Access

Art, and access to it, is a meaningful topic to student Spencer Lippert.  While recognizing the value of art to individuals and communities, his research indicated that “when art access is studied in terms of ethnicity/race & highest level of education completed, the elitist quality of art becomes strikingly apparent. People within the BIPOC community express roughly 1.3 times less access to art experiences and education than adults that identify as white. And people who have completed graduate school are 1.6 times more likely to have access to these experiences. The data is telling – to feel like you are welcome to experience art, it is beneficial to be white & educated”.

As a Lansing resident, Spencer reached out to The Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center to confirm his suspicions.  In meeting with LAGEC Executive Director Barb Whitney, Spencer learned that the Gallery’s mission to promote art access in Lansing had met its own snag: they were unexpectedly not being allowed to renew the lease of their current physical space, and had three months to find a new space that fulfilled their programmatic needs (and was within their budget), and to move out of their existing location.  The art deco Knapp’s Center in Downtown Lansing became a perfect location for the Gallery, comprised of two stories, with a large entry space that is full height, and street front glazing along the North Facade connecting the space to the streetscape.  With time a factor, work had to proceed quickly, and Spencer proposed a few space planning changes that could make the space workable for the Gallery and its educational programs in time for the necessary move.

Proposed phase 2 interior

Phase two work was undertaken aimed at addressing the issue of arts access.  Spencer proposed an expansion of the existing entry platform, and a relocation of three steps to enter into the exhibit space to be adjacent to the existing ramp, so all users of the space would have the same experience.  In this phase, retail space would be moved to the platform level, and a credenza-type furniture piece located near the top of the stairs would create a dedicated reception location while being space-efficient. To leverage the street front windows, a gathering space would encourage socializing and provide visible activity from the sidewalk.

Proposed phase 2 exterior vision

To further promote visual access to the Gallery, and convey a sense of welcome to the community, Spencer also proposed modifications to the exterior.  A mobile parklet in the parking space in front of The Gallery, would bridge the gap between interior and exterior.  This could also bring art to the street by hosting small scale exhibits or demonstrations, which would attract people to The Gallery. Adding painting to the sidewalk in correlation with the parklet lets the community know – there is art happening here & behind this wall, and you are allowed to experience it.  A second proposed solution is an entire re-imagining of the exterior of The Gallery. In Spencer’s vision, parklets flank both sides of the street with temporary flower beds providing a pedestrian island. Signage would be added to the large storefront spaces in front of the museum. Inspired by Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, the signage and a street mural are not ‘high design’. “They are bright and elementary”, Spencer notes.  “The lettering in the windows summarizes the entire project: ‘art is safe for you’. All members of the community belong in this space and are welcome here”.

Spencer Lippert at the LAGEC ribbon-cutting, February 1, 2022

In part with Spencer’s assistance, the LAGEC received a $25K from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through their Match on Main Grant program, and opened in its new space on February 1, 2022.  Ms. Whitney was delighted with Spencer’s ideas and dedication: “Spencer has served as a trusted confidante and counterpart during our planning, execution, and fundraising phases of this project for Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center. Further, Spencer’s vision for additional arts access extends beyond the boundary of our walls to sidewalks, streets, and our entire block. His proposal will help us foster additional municipal support”.

Design for Healing

Baltimore-area resident (and the mother of a young son) Rose Vito had a specific interest in the city’s school system, as well as issues that contribute to the failure of urban revitalization projects.  Rose decided to focus her attention on the Curtis Bay neighborhood located along the harbor on the southwest side of Baltimore City. Her research revealed that Curtis Bay is a highly impoverished neighborhood, and that many families suffer from inter-generational poverty. In particular, neighborhood women are often made vulnerable and have few options to improve their well-being.  “Their lives are impacted by domestic violence, drug addiction, homicide, job scarcity, and poor education”, Rose noted.  “All these underlying core issues put women at a high risk of being trafficked, and human trafficking and prostitution are big issues in this area”.  Data supports Rose’s observations, as a 2020 study concluded that in areas of Baltimore such as Curtis Bay, intimate partner violence can account for 30% of all violent crime.

Searching for those who are working to provide resources for women in Curtis Bay, Rose discovered The Well, an organization founded in 2015 by Mandy Memmel, and was immediately inspired.  “The Well is a community where women who have experienced trauma have a safe place to learn their value, identity, and purpose.  The Well serves women of all ages and walks of life.  The Well provides programs including Women of Hope, C.O.R, Oasis, the workforce development program through Hon’s Honey, financial classes, and mentorship. There is also a social worker on staff who they call the community advocate”.  After visiting The Well, Rose decided to undertake a vision plan to reorganize the second floor of the facility, which housed a few staff office and an undersized classroom, as Hon’s Honey production is located on the first floor and the business has grown to take over the majority of the floor.  Rose and Ms. Memmel determined the types of spaces to support the needs of the program and provide for flexibility as needs change in the future.  As other tenants on the floor would be ending their leases and moving, the entire level could be dedicated to growing The Well’s support programs.

Welcome / waiting area

A major priority for Rose and The Well was the integration of the principles of Trauma informed Design (TID), and to better understand this, Rose consulted with Davis Harte, a highly-regarded expert in TID.  From Dr. Harte, Rose learned that the three main principles of TID are the provision of sensory boundaries, nested layers, and identity anchors.  Sensory boundaries are considered “membranes, materiality, and mechanics.”  Nested layers are elements of “wayfinding, thresholds, extrusion, and human scale.”  Identity anchors related to elements of “art, personalization, landscape, and intergenerational design.”  Working within the existing footprint, Rose laid out a plan, and the quality of the spaces was designed to reflect these concepts.

Proposed floor plan by Rose Vito

Rose sought to provide an open and flexible plan for safety and varying use of the rooms. Consideration was given to the practical use of staff, volunteers, mentors, mentees, and walk-ins for optimal efficiency, but Rose was also mindful of how TID principles can enhance a sense of safety and user control. “The Oasis shower ministry shower room and dressing room are unique in that they must balance the principles of trauma-informed design with safety”, she notes.  “They are designed so that the women are no encouraged to spend a lot of time in either space.  This is due to women bringing drug paraphernalia into the facility.  When a woman is using the shower a staff member can be in attendance if needed.  All staff and visitors will enter and exit the building through the internal staircase and elevator.  The exterior staircase will be exit only for safety”.  To test design ideas, Rose created interior renderings that walk the viewer through the space from the perspective of three personas which include a first-time visitor, a mentee, and a staff member or volunteer. As she presented these serial renderings to Ms. Memmel, each was accompanied by description of the principles of trauma-informed design that are incorporated into the space.

Lounge rendering with Trauma-Informed Design highlights

Given that renovation work will need to take place while the facility is operational, careful consideration of phasing was incorporated.   Rose’s work has provided a great deal of excitement and optimism at The Well.  Ms. Memmel notes: “It was great working with Rose Vito on the project for our building.  I love the ideas, drawings and designs that were rendered and cannot wait to see how we can gather funding for this year to begin.  Rose was amazing and thoughtful …. What a lovely student.  Thank you for this incredible opportunity to receive”.

Hope for Rural Education in Crisis

Student Me Me Thinn was born in Myanmar (formerly Burma), and has watched the plight of her home country with great interest.  Of particular concern to her was the overthrow of the democratically elected government by the military junta Tatmadaw in February 2021.  Among the many negative effects of this insurrection was the impact upon the already-struggling rural education infrastructure in Myanmar.  In her research, Me Me concluded that “rural regions in Myanmar have poor educational system due to multiple reasons such as insufficient schools, lack of teachers, unequal distribution of teachers, and outdated curriculum and teaching methods. …. This is a critical problem because the country is largely made up of rural regions, and almost 70% of the population reside in these rural areas. Moreover, I am invested in this topic because I believe education is the key to freedom, especially in my country where the education system is deliberately dismantled by the junta, and educated minds have the power for change”.

Me Me formed a partnership with a San Francisco based non-profit organization called Build A School in Burma (BSB). Founded in 2010 by Robert Cornwell, BSB is a small organization with a big impact, having helped built a total of 60 schools in the intervening years. Entirely volunteer staffed, BSB has only one employed staff member: the in-country director hired for his expertise in local knowledge, and 100% of funds raised by the organization go directly to building schools.

As BSB already had established designs for one-story buildings ranging from three to six classrooms, Me Me and Robert discussed alternative ways that her design, construction, and visual communication knowledge could help advance the BSB mission.  Eventually they decided that to enhance community outreach and strengthen communication with volunteers and donors, Me Me would create a construction guide and brochure outlining the processes and materials that could be accessed locally to build a typical school.

Excerpt from construction booklet by Me Me Thinn

Me Me and Robert jointly established the objectives for the project.  The design solution should “provide knowledge in the school building process by BSB; increase accessibility of this information; empower the readers; provoke creativity; improve communication, and lastly promote BSB’s presence and its commitments to the cause”.  A major decision was the establishment of the outline of the booklet.  Me Me determined that information should be broken into four main categories; evaluation, analysis, construction, and the opening of the school, reflecting each major step of the development process.  Inclusive language had to be carefully considered for clarity, as the target readers would range from foreign donors to local communities, parents, children, teachers, volunteers, and design professionals. In addition, Me Me created versions in both English and Burmese, so all potential users can be equally informed.  While already highly visually skilled, Me Me met with Professor Lillian Crum for advice in graphic design, aiming to engage the readers with visually attractive and comprehensible content. Color, font, and layout were carefully selected, and used to create visual harmony throughout the contents.  In addition to the booklet, a tri-fold brochure was composed to provide ‘at a glance’ information about BSB and its processes.

Tri-fold brochure by Me Me Thinn

“Creating these contents not only provides accessible and comprehensible information to the readers, but also allows me to gain insight and different perspectives as a designer”, Me Me reflects.  “And I hope this also provides the local communities some knowledge and encourage them that they have what it takes to make it happens. I also hope to raise some awareness of my country situations to the international communities, and the design professions through this project. And lastly, I intend to express my gratitude towards those who are helping the under-served communities in Myanmar through this project. It is devastating to see and hear daily news of the atrocities committed by the Myanmar military. This project helps me focus on the positives. After all, receiving and expressing gratitude makes us generous and hopeful”.

Eight Steps to Innovation

A great deal of attention is paid to the issues facing urban school districts (large class sizes, budget deficits from low tax bases, difficulty in recruiting and retaining teachers), but student Trent Schmitz sought to put a spotlight on the unique challenges facing students in rural schools.  Urban school districts, he found, also suffer from lack of funding, which impacts the number of teachers, the ability to offer AP classes, and forces guidance councilors to be shared between schools.  His research uncovered the fact that only 13,5% of rural students have an individualized education plan, leaving many such students who pursue post-secondary education feeling ill-prepared.  He also noted that “it is not very well accepted to leave their community and do so”.

Trent spoke with Dr. Linden Moore, Superintendent of the Montrose (MI) Community School District, and former Principal of Hill McCloy High School.  Hill McCloy is connected to a middle school, and share a number of facilities.  Trent discovered that both the High School library and the nearby public library were underutilized, and that MCSD was exploring the possibility of converting the existing high school library into “an innovation center that can help students to focus on their passions, and figure out what is next in life for them”.  Dr. Moore was excited about this possibility, stating “Students need to start thinking differently and have opportunities to do so.”

Innovation Center Plan with IBL designations (All images: Trent Schmitz)

In developing proposals to convert the library to an innovation center, Trent conducted research into the principles of Interest Based Learning.  IBL is a pedagogical model that “fuses eight components into one framework to maximize student interest, engagement, and successes”. The eight steps are interest finding, interest focusing, action plan, resources, research and design, products, authentic audience, and debriefing and celebrating.  Trent and his partners determined that these eight stages would not only guide the curriculum of the innovation center, but also the configuration and flow of the space, including adjacent hallways and an underutilized exterior courtyard. 

Interior of Innovation Center

Trent described how the center would be configured:

“In the space, students would utilize the indoor or outdoor presentation area to work on Interest Finding. Ideally, they could find something they’re interested in from another student’s presentation. For Interest focusing, they would move into the studio space. The next step being action plan, students would move to the Meeting / Focus area to work on creating their action plan. This could be done with Teachers, Guidance Counselors, or other community members or organizations to help the student create a plan for what is next for them. Next students move to the research and planning area. It is here where steps 4 & 5 are completed in a more focused, smaller group-based learning and presentation area. For step 6, students move back to into the studio space where they start to develop their ‘product’ or their plan. From there, they move into the presentation area to present their findings to an authentic audience. Research shows that someone has truly learned about a topic when they are able to teach others about it. Lastly, students would move to the lobby space or to the courtyard to debrief and celebrate with their groups to complete the interest-based learning process”.

Presentation / Engagement Courtyard

The creation of an innovation center at Hill McCloy HS not only presents new opportunities for MCSD to create pioneering new curricula, and better prepare students for future studies and success, but offers new ways for the school district to engage the community.  A renovated courtyard, paired with the innovation facility, could be made available to the larger community in the summers when classes are not in session.  Dr. Moore was enthusiastic about both the process of working with Trent, but the possibilities for the students: “Not only was I impressed by what he presented and created throughout the semester, he helped my see the possibilities that exist in a space I never imagined!”

Reading Heroes on Wheels

Jenna Atkinson’s interest in the needs of children raised in single-parent households is anchored in her own experience.  She is one of four children who were raised by her single mother.  Single parents not only endure the sting of social stigma, but also are forced to make tremendous personal sacrifices to raise and care for their children.  The economic strain and disadvantage placed upon single parents is staggering:  Jenna’s research found that married couples with two children would need to have an annual income of $79,308 in order to “live comfortably” in the Metro-Detroit area, while the annual income of single parents in Detroit is a mere $26,249.  In addition, she found that the poverty rate for single mothers is about six times higher compared to married couples. 

One particular area where this economic disadvantage has a generational impact is in the area of education.  Children of single parents are not likely to be able to attend private schools, let alone have access to all the tools and materials they need.  As a result, Jenna noted, “the likelihood of not setting education goals is common within single parent households”.  Limited education leads to limited earning potential, and a cycle of poverty continues.  The ability to attend and graduate from a University (as in Jenna’s case) is not a given for these children.  Jenna reached out to Jeri Hunley, founder of Single Family Living (SFL).  While SFL provides a number of programs and resources for single parents and their children, they decided to focus upon a program called Reading Heroes. Jenna described Reading Heroes as an initiative that “assists children Pre-K through 5th grade by offering reading comprehension tutoring and webinars to help them pass mandatory state tests. Books are also provided to encourage the children to read”.

With the COVID-19 pandemic making it difficult for families to come to SFL to take advantage of their programs, Ms. Hunley had an ambitious goal: bring Reading Heroes to the families and their communities.  What she and Jenna proposed was Reading Heroes on Wheels, a mobile resource housed in a trailer, pulled by a vehicle that had been donated to SFL.  The partners worked through several iterations (based on an assumed trailer size), that could store books, site furniture, and educational materials, and be deployed on site.  Care needed to be taken to ensure that all materials could be secured for travel, and easily accessed once the destination was reached.  Once on site, Reading Heroes on Wheels would provide both interior and exterior accessible space, resources, and wi-fi.  Jenna developed detailing for all the needs of the project, including branding to give the project a recognizable identity. 

Reading Heroes on Wheels – Exterior / Site view (all images: Jenna Atkinson)

The intended impact of the project is best described in Jenna’s own words:

“When Reading Heroes on Wheels is coming down the street of your neighborhood, you will know it is there to help. Dates and times would be scheduled in advance with schools and community spaces for the trailer to visit. Social media will be used to spread the word in advance. During the winter months, the vehicle that typically pulls the trailer can be used to deliver necessary materials such as books and tutoring sessions through the schools and community spaces. …Inside there will be seating to work on homework or to read comfortably. Tablets and Wi-Fi will be available for use while large bookshelves hold plenty of books for the community to read and take home. When physical distancing protocols are lifted, ottomans can be pulled out and the work table can collapse allowing people to gather for special reading events inside the trailer.

Reading Heroes on Wheels is not just a trailer full of books but an atmosphere for the community to enjoy. Neighbors can gather to help each other while pursuing their own goals. Parents can bring their children for time away from home or pick them up after work. Teens can sit and study for exams with the use of free Wi-Fi while children receive help in reading. This will transform ordinary spaces for all to feel welcome and equal. Reading Heroes on Wheels is for the community by the community”.

Reading Heroes on Wheels interior

A great deal has happened since Jenna completed the class.  She now sits on the Board of Single Family Living, and serves as Secretary.  SFL received a grant from Generator Z and used this funding to purchase a 7’x16′ trailer to house Reading Heroes on Wheels.  As of this writing, construction is set to begin, and soon Reading Heroes on Wheels could be bringing educational resources to families throughout Metro Detroit.  Jenna has used her opportunities to help bring hope and the chance for educational success to children who – like her – are raised by single parents.  She says of the experience: “Activist Architecture and Design completely reshaped my design perspective. Architecture can do so much for so many people and I learned how it’s made possible through this studio. I never thought I would be using my design skills this way and now I don’t want to stop”.

Small Comforts

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, student Jacob Bonacorsi was particularly concerned about the effects of extended hospital stays in children.  Jacob found that these children were statistically more likely to develop anxiety and depression, which could have both short-and-long term impact on their mental and physical well-being.  This is compounded by the necessary isolation experienced during a pandemic, when children are unable to receive regular visits from their parents and other family members.  Any amount of comfort that can be offered these children could prove to have a positive effect on their well-being.

To partner in addressing these concerns, Jacob turned to someone he knew well: Nicholas Kristock, Founder and Executive Director of Fleece & Thank You.  Working from their Farmington Hills, Michigan headquarters, F&TY partners with over 35 hospitals in Michigan and nationally, making and delivering blankets to children receiving medical care.  Their goal is to “provide every child facing hospital treatments with a colorful, comfortable fleece blanket and a video message of support from its maker”.  As a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Jacob was familiar with F&TY, as the chapter had an established relationship with the organization, volunteering and fund-raising to support this important work. 

Rendering of storage / delivery units in Fleece and Thank You facility (all images: Jacob Bonacorsi)

After meeting with Nicholas at the F&TY facility, it became apparent that what was needed was a way to make their processes (and their space) more efficient.  They decided that what was needed was a system that could act as both blanket storage, and a means of blanket delivery.  Needing to be lightweight but sturdy, a fasttube / PVC frame system was developed, with additional support provided by a rigid top, bottom, and back.  The sides would be wrapped in a mesh or banner fabric, the latter of which would allow for a sponsors logo or message to be silk-screened.  Addition of a removable top could transform the unit into a worktable.  As blankets were completed in the F&TY warehouse, they would be rolled and loaded directly into the unit (which could also act as a spatial divider).  When full, the unit would be laid on its back, and loaded into a van or other vehicle for delivery to a hospital.  Integrated casters would turn the storage unit into a cart to ease of use.  The design team went through multiple iterations to attempt to anticipate issues that may arise, and – for additional brainstorming – Jacob and Nick consulted with design student Josh Pastrana, and LTU Industrial Design Program Director Bilge Nur Saltik.

Fleece & Thank You and STEP volunteers with completed prototype.

Version 1 of the unit was prototyped after the conclusion of the semester.  It was tested by a group of STEP volunteers (frequent partners with F&TY) who, in Jacob’s words, “were ecstatic to see that their tasks had become easier and it was so simple for them to move and use. The screens will have updates in future versions as for the way the Velcro operates and is attached”.  Nicholas Kristock noted: “It was such a pleasure to work with Jacob on this project, and he truly has created something that is going to make a massive difference to our warehouse process”.  For his own part, Jacob offered his perspective on the experience: “I must say, I really appreciate the activist studio in the sense that it provided so much more than what I had expected. Seeing a project (though at a smaller scale than previous studios) come to fruition was extremely gratifying and the smiles put on people’s faces at the warehouse were incredible”.

Project Access

Seldom has work in this class been as personal as that undertaken by student Rawan Ita.  In January of 2017, she was struck by an SUV, and had to endure over a year of medical treatments, physical therapy, and insurance issues.  Her injuries (and recovery) forced her to step away from worm, as well as her graduate studies.  To this day, Rawan deals with pain and limitations to her mobility.

One thing that offered comfort to Rawan is her passion for making and enjoying art.  She found that by working in fluid media, she could find tools that accommodated her compromised dexterity.  She founded Project TheraPaint as a means to tell her story, both as an artist and a person with disabilities.  However, she became keenly aware of something she had not realized before: much of the art world did not accommodate those with visual, hearing, and physical impairments, either in representation or in the manner in which art is displayed and accessed.

Image by Rawan Ita

Addressing this became a personal mission for Rawan, and she found willing community partners Judy Wilson (Executive Director) and Jane Fanta (President) of the Pontiac Creative Arts Center (PCAC).  One of the first issues Rawan and the PCAC chose to tackle was the unequal physical access to the art center itself.  The formal front entrance was inaccessible to those with mobility challenges, and access to those in a wheelchair was available only via a lift located near a side entrance.  A new entry experience was proposed, that would – in Rawan’s words – “include a ramped experience that shares unique moments throughout the path leading up to the building. All guests are welcome to enter the site at the same point and will enter the building at the same point as well, whether they take the ramp or the stairs. This intention is set to allow all to feel equal rather than forcing people with disabilities to enter separately through an undignified side/back entrance. This design will also include work/sculptures done by local artists that will help contribute to the message of inclusivity and enhance the overall journey”.

Pontiac Community Arts Center Entry Concept (Image: Rawan Ita)

However, addressing access to the PCAC was only part of what Rawan and her partners sought to achieve.  They chose to curate an event in coordination with the PCAC’s “Karaoke with the Clauses” holiday celebration, in which they would launch Project Access.  Held on December 14, 2019, the Project Access installations included “stations that address the issue of ableism as well as information/statistics on people with disabilities. Other than spreading awareness throughout this event, we are also creating situations in which guests are able to experience a brief moment of what it may be like for people with imparities to experience an art gallery. These exercises test standard settings and help people become more aware of the various ways that people function. The empathy exercises are used to inform, inspire, and ignite a passion to support the inclusive direction that the Pontiac Creative Arts Center is eager to take”.

Images from Project Access December 14, 2019

Rawan’s dedication to the accessibility to, and visibility of art by, people with disabilities did not end with completion of the course, or graduation.  In February of 2020, Rawan and co-founder Nadin Said introduced The Art Spread, a non-profit organization whose mission is to “spread influential ideas and expand perspective through artist and patron partnerships”.  The Art Spread works to spread awareness of the healing power of art, support and promote artist with disabilities, and hold and promote in-person and virtual events connecting the arts and physical and mental well-being.

Not Just Child’s Play

The work of student Nicole Lindemer demonstrates true commitment to engagement and participation.  Nicole began the semester investigating what she perceived as a decline in the amount of time children spent outdoors, and the impact of this upon physical fitness, problem solving skills, and sociability.  She found that outdoor play provided children with the ability to engage in a variety of activities at an important stage of their development that would enhance not only their physical, but cognitive growth.

Nicole found a kindred spirit in Fran Styron, director of the Holy Cross Academy in Simpsonville, South Carolina.  Recognizing the importance of outdoor activities, Ms. Styron had ambitions for the Academy to qualify as an ABC Quality Child Care Center, which would allow them to provide enhanced services by qualifying to receive additional funds from the State and Federal governments. A standard adopted by Nicole and Fran to set goals and evaluate success is the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale.  The partners conducted a preliminary evaluation of the Academy’s existing outdoor play spaces with respect to the scale categories of gross motor play, Sand/Water, and Nature & Science, striving for a rating of ‘excellent’ after improvements.  While the Academy grounds have ample outdoor space, and relatively new play structures, they both agreed that the implementation of outdoor elements that would promote “sensory processing, problem-solving, role play, environmental awareness and creativity”, would enhance cognitive and social development in the children.

Left: Nicole with Holy Cross Academy children. Right: Proposed sensory garden (all images: Nicole Lindemer)

 

“Fran and I worked very closely together for several weeks to establish the goals and objectives of the project”, Nicole notes, “as well as, a first pass at how the layout of all the needed components would work.  After the initial design phase, our design team grew.  We added fresh perspectives from other church employees, volunteers, child care representative from the State, and the teachers and children of Holy Cross Academy.”  Inclusion of this last constituency was crucial, but posed challenges.  As preschool children have not yet developed the vocabulary to articulate their design needs, Nicole created a set of images of different potential elements to the new playground, mounted them on board stock, and met with 23 children in 4k and 5k classes.  By recording the children’s responses to the various images, she was able to determine that the children wanted a sandbox, an abundance of color, and options for activities in their new outdoor environment.  In constant communication with Fran and other volunteer partners, a plan was developed that included outdoor classroom spaces, sensory zones, an outdoor play kitchen, tricycle paths, a rain garden, and a ‘music wall’.  Phasing was considered to allow development in “bite-size portions”, in accordance with the Academy’s fund-raising and volunteer capacity.

Build Day volunteers at work

 

Nicole’s involvement did not end with the completion of the design plan.  She and Fran continued to have conversations regarding next steps, and in the summer of 2019, Nicole organized a volunteer build day to implement the first phase of development.  She took the lead in planning the event agenda, created promotional and informational material (including volunteer waiver forms), and tested and developed visual instruction sheets for the construction of components.  Donations were acquired of building materials, garden plants, and food for the nearly 30 volunteers who participated.  Over seven hours, all of the four targeted projects were completed, and even children were encouraged to participate.  A video documenting the day’s activities can be found here.  Through observation, and feedback gathered from the volunteers, Nicole was able to assess the workshop, and make refinements that could set a template for future phases of the project.

Children playing with implemented “Music Wall”.

 

Nicole and Fran hope to build upon the success of the workshop to continue momentum on the project, and work towards the stated goal of ABC Quality certification.  “I believe the Academy is hoping to see the full vision of the project completed in around 5 years’ time”, Nicole states.  “When finished, Holy Cross Academy should truly have an outdoor learning environment that will encourage better body, mind and spirit for all those who attend there.”

34 on Front

Monroe, Michigan is a city of about 21,000 residents that straddles the River Raisin in southeastern Michigan.  Student Molly Yeo, who is local to the area, saw great opportunity in the downtown area of Monroe, but also certain setbacks that hinder residents’ engagement.  Molly determined that there were 4 main causes that are inhibiting the growth in Monroe:  the lack of wayfinding amidst a plethora of one-way streets, parking remote from the shopping district, lack of outdoor seating / bike parking / business engagement paces, and numerous empty storefronts.

Molly noticed a cyclical nature to these factors, lack of quality pedestrian spaces led to difficulties for business owners, which in turn led to greater volume of empty storefronts.  Lack of viable businesses then contributed to the lack of quality in the streetscape.  I was her conclusion that better connectivity between amenities in downtown Monroe, and more pedestrian-friendly spaces would prove beneficial to potential businesses.  This was confirmed as Molly spoke with a number of local business owners.  It was through these conversations that Molly found a community partner, who had purchase a building in Downtown Monroe, and planned to open a new restaurant.  The property was a corner lot adjacent to an alleyway that connected Downtown to a large parking area, and the River Raisin, and also featured a greenspace in the side and back yards of the parcel.  Molly and her partners agreed that this project was an opportunity to explore the synergy between business ventures and public space, and she began to look at both the restaurant development, and the adjacent opportunities.

Molly began the process by gathering community input regarding what types of amenities would be desired by residents and visitors to Downtown Monroe.  She placed a ‘teaser’ poster in the window of the vacant building, inviting passers-by to imagine what could be provided on and around the restaurant site.  Through an online appeal to residents, she was able to determine that preferred items included shop that featured extended ‘after work’ hours, better connectivity to parking, a brewery / distillery, and more dog-friendly spaces in the city.  These factors all would appeal to a younger demographic, whom the partners wished to bring into the downtown.

Proposed community garden (all images: Molly Yeo)

 

Strategies were developed for the exterior space on all four faces of the building.  At the front façade, a garage door-type opening was recommended that could connect to a small outdoor seating or tasting area.  The building façade to the east was identified as a great location for a mural by local artists, as well as a possible projection are for movies in the summer month (which would require a temporary blockage of a street).  In addition, the lawn area on this part of the property could house pop-up vendors for larger-scale community events.  At the ‘back’ of the property, a proposed community garden could serve as an appealing ‘first visual’ to those entering Downtown from the parking lot along the River Raisin, as well as providing an opportunity for residents to interact through gardening education.  The community garden would lead visitors to the sloping alley, which Molly and her partners envisioned as a ‘green alley’, where plantings, improved lighting, pervious paving, and art installations would create an appealing gathering spot and transition into the Downtown business district.

‘Green Alley’ prototype

 

While Molly’s project was unusual for this class in that in included a commercial venture, she felt that the public / private dynamic could have lasting positive effects.  “My partner and I decided we wanted to start the beginning phase of change in the downtown scene”, she stated.  “By adding a restaurant and brewery into the area allows the community members to have more options to eat and grab a relaxing drink after a long day on the job.  The idea was to start with a restaurant and brewery to be one of many new places to join the downtown area.  If we can be the node of the city, where everyone remembers the town by then there could possibility be more foot traffic downtown for other business owners, allowing the streetscape to be well maintained.”  In particular, Molly identified the alley development as a potential model for similar spaces in the city that “could potentially be utilized to bring in greenscapes within the city that attract and direct people throughout the downtown to explore.”

Crafting Experiences: Interactions at the Y

Student Ed Hunerberg was concerned with youth and the impact of their lifestyle choices, particularly how digital distractions and social choices impacted a healthy or unhealthy life.  Through his initial research, he observed a steady increase in childhood cases of obesity and diabetes, and a decline in youth physical activities.  A father of two who enjoyed physical activity throughout his adolescence, Ed noticed “a society highly distracted and unhealthy lifestyles are a consequence of such actions”.

Ed investigated potential community partners that have a direct relationship with children in support of a healthy lifestyle.  He found a perfect match in Kyle Anderson, Executive Director of the Farmington Family YMCA, who Ed described as creating “a foundation of improving the community through youth programs and family services.  This partner also has a direct relationship with the surrounding community fabric”.  With an eye towards promoting greater interaction between users of the Y, and encouraging longer visits and greater levels of participation, Kyle turned Ed’s attention to one of the areas in the building.  “The main lounge (corridor) was home to a constant barrage of people using it to come and go to exercise classes or to watch their kids participate in one of the many services the YMCA provides,” Ed noted.  “This space needs to provide areas for users to sit, congregate, or work for short periods of time, but allow for an uninterrupted path for circulation”.  Objectives requested for the project were to provide greater visibility into the adjacent natatorium, promote interconnectivity between the central lounge and the multiple spaces that connect into it, and to promote continuity between the entrance and lounge.  As a result, the scope of the project expanded from the original target zone to the front lobby, and Ed’s charge was to lead investigations into an interactive experience that would begin the moment a visitor walked through the front door.

YMCA user engagement survey / display (all images: Ed Hunerberg)

 

To insure that user input would be integrated into design ideation, Ed was inspired by the Dotte Agency, and their methods of “idea generation through the public eye”.  Ed created a poster survey that enable him and Kyle to collect information from the members who use the facility on a daily basis.  “This process garnered a unique view into the issues and concerns the members are having within the defined area”, Ed reported.  “Several concerns were brought to our attention; to which, we did not identify within this project.  The use of a public survey allowed us to identify additional member concerns that Kyle will engage with at another time.  This will enhance the relationship between the YMCA’s administration and the members that utilize the facility.”

Having gathered perspectives and needs from Kyle and the YMCA members, Ed sought to address some of the most pressing concerns.  One priority was to address the acoustics of the space, while capitalizing on some of the existing aesthetic elements, such as the tongue and groove ceiling with glue laminated beams.  “Using this element as a key design piece”, Ed noted, “activates and softens an otherwise hardscaped experience.  The warmth from the major ceiling element pulled down to the floor creates touch points through the lounge and lobby areas.  This warm wood batten wall system also provides a planar surface for a new donor wall in lieu of the existing vinyl banner ceiling hung system”.  Ed proposed a set of stamped steel plates acknowledging each donor with a higher level of significance and permanence, promoting their dedication to the YMCA family.  To create a dramatic experience upon entry, Ed crafted a blackened steel monolithic form that helped to direct the eye of a visitor to the main corridor, as well as to serve as a key branding and advertising piece for the YMCA.

Image of entry lobby

 

In crafting the main corridor, Ed sought to highlight visual interconnectivity between important zones.  “A punch of color is provided down the southern side of the corridor to help bring emphasis to the horizontality of the new materials and motion derived from the natural circulation of this area.  The purple ribbon picked from the YMCA’s standard branding color palette also provides a visual along the planar wall element that has several connectivity locations into adjacent spaces”.  Ed utilized seating systems to provide flexibility of use and unique experiences through the corridor.  Options available to visitors included hi/low top tables, modular informal seating, a stand-up working counter, and community booth seating.  The randomized sound baffles, in addition to addressing acoustical issues, were used to suggest defined spaces, without using elements fixed to the ground that would segregate users and restrict adaptability.

Rendering of community / aquatic zone

 

The resulting proposal creates a set of experiences that promote exchange between users, while encouraging visitors to stay and experience everything the YMCA has to offer.  Kyle Anderson was open in his praise of Ed’s work and approach:  “I really appreciated the buy-in he had on the project as he looked at it from a very different lens than we normally do seeing it on a daily basis”, he stated.  For his part, Ed found the course experience rewarding (if tiring), calling it the “first class I have ever taken that I felt happy that it was done but sad that it’s over.”