Abstract:
What images come to your mind when you think of the West Side of Chicago? Gangs? Poverty? Crime? Substandard housing? Deteriorating neighborhoods? Poor quality public schools? How are its children effected by these neighborhoods?A child's environment and his or her role models have a strong impact on their potential for learning and socialization skills. The three most influential settings in a child's physical world of socialization include the home, school and neighborhood (Proshansky and Fabian 21). Where are places in the city that are positive influences for children and the surrounding neighborhood?Providence St. Mel high school/elementary school, located in East Garfield Park on Chicago's West Side, has a vision for a better community. East Garfield Park, located on Chicago's West Side is one neighborhood making a difference for its children.Architecture in itself can not solve social problems, but it can be used as a catalyst for change. The following thesis explores the idea of creating an elementary school in which the architecture becomes the home and neighborhood to its community of children. The program is driven by the needs of Providence St. Mel for a new elementary school. The design also enhances the relationship with nature in an urban environment, where children can have better contact with it rather than confined from it.
