Community confluence

Abstract

Urban settings typically do not provide the innate human connection to nature that provides physical and mental well-being. Too often, design priorities tend to stray away from access to nature as a necessary part of human wellness. This thesis will explore community connectivity through design as a method of increasing opportunities to enrich the experience of ecological systems in an urban setting. Outcomes will work to incorporate passive systems to promote occupant comfort and well-being through community-nature connections. Milwaukee has a wide array of ecological opportunities through several rivers, striking topography, and its connection to Lake Michigan. The thesis site provides a unique transition from a vibrant urban condition near Milwaukee’s downtown to an ecological stepping down to the Milwaukee River. This thesis explores the design of a community center marketplace for artists and community members to gather. Converging ideas of ecology and community creates an experiential network connecting an active existing art scene to the river walk and nature trails. By embedding the design into the steep topography, ecological connections are strengthened through breaking down the distinction between interior and exterior experiences. This thesis project defines an architecture that bridges a gap between existing cultural and ecological corridors.